Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

The giant, floating eye of light, its synthesized voice remained unperturbed.

"Regarding the Dream Bubble of Akivili, the Aeon of Trailblaze, our establishment does indeed have it in its collection."

"Donated by an anonymous individual, the authenticity of its contents is unknown. Please be aware."

Source unknown? Authenticity unknown?

This information itself was shrouded in a thick fog, adding an even more unfathomable eeriness to the already mysterious Dream Bubble.

Daziel forcibly suppressed the surging surprise and curiosity in his heart, striving to maintain a calm exterior.

He looked up, his gaze sharp, piercing the giant eye before him.

"Just bring it out, Dr. Edward."

Daziel's voice was steady, with unwavering resolve.

However, deep down, his vigilance towards this so-called "key clue," and Dr. Edward's unfathomable ability that seemed to read minds, had already reached its peak.

Who knew what this Dream Bubble would become, augmented by this inner world…

Dr. Edward offered no further words. The tiny, floating specks of light in the shop, like living stardust, seemed to flicker slightly faster at this moment.

A Dream Bubble, emitting a soft, warm, pale golden halo like that of a newborn star, floated silently towards Daziel, as if guided by an invisible hand.

The halo wasn't blinding; instead, it possessed a strange allure, tempting one to touch it, to explore the mysteries hidden within.

Daziel reached out. The instant his fingertips were about to touch the smooth surface of the Dream Bubble, a strange, irresistible suction, like that of a black hole, suddenly pulled at him!

The familiar yet alien shop environment around him abruptly began to distort violently, blurring, dissolving. Colors mixed and swirled madly like an overturned paint palette, ultimately dissolving into chaos. He felt as if he had been forcibly stuffed into a rapidly spinning kaleidoscope, the world turning upside down, his consciousness nearly torn apart by the sudden transition.

The next moment, the sense of weightlessness vanished, and the chaotic visual information restabilized.

Daziel found himself forcibly "inserted" into a fragmented, disjointed, ancient recording riddled with static and jump cuts.

The lighting in the scene was extremely dim. He could barely make out that the setting seemed to be a carriage of the Astral Express. However, every detail, from the texture of the walls to the strange odor permeating the air, exuded an indescribable weirdness and sense of "wrongness."

An unusually short figure, topped with the all-too-familiar head of the Express conductor, was berating a blurry figure in front of it in a tone completely incongruous with its cute appearance—exceptionally stern, one might even say harsh.

Just like in the original plot, is it Pom-Pom?

Daziel's pupils contracted sharply; he suddenly felt his heart clench as if gripped by an invisible hand.

And Daziel himself, at this moment, was experiencing it from a first-person perspective, playing the role of the one being sternly reprimanded—a blurry silhouette, its specific appearance unrecognizable, only its presence could be felt.

Just then, the cold, synthesized voice sounded in Daziel's mind, interrupting his astonishment.

"Apologies. When I collected this Dream Bubble, parts of its audio track were already missing—perhaps even Memoria cannot bear that which is unspeakable."

Dr. Edward's voice remained flat and devoid of any emotion.

"But to enhance the experience, I can adjust this Dream Bubble, which means you can choose to have it voiced by anyone—as long as you are familiar enough, I can perfectly replicate your subconscious!"

Daziel frowned slightly. "Anyone's voice?"

"No, it must be someone you are familiar with—unless you have no requirements for voice fidelity."

Daziel fell into a brief moment of thought.

Whose voice should I use? Himeko? March 7th? Welt?

None of them seem quite right; it would feel somewhat off…

Subconsciously, he thought of the "her" in his mental space, the one who granted him power and tasks but always remained mysterious, the "system" that was theoretically of the same origin as him, or perhaps…

Another version of himself.

A thought stirred in Daziel's mind. With a hint of experimentation and a strange idea, he responded, "How about… a female version of myself?"

Dr. Edward's giant eye of light seemed to fluctuate slightly, its synthesized voice carrying a rare, almost imperceptible hint of… confusion?

"A female version of you? What a strange idea, but I will satisfy the client's request."

"Replication complete! You can now enjoy the dream better."

The next second, the voice emanating from the blurry figure indeed transformed into a clear, bright tone that Daziel was exceptionally familiar with, yet it possessed distinctly feminine characteristics.

It was the voice he associated with the "system," or rather, the "female version of himself."

The sharp reprimand resumed, coming from that bizarre Pom-Pom.

"Well then, do you, and the other passengers, admit responsibility for the following atrocious incidents—"

"During the Tycoon Star System Grand Arena event, while you were responsible for commentating the match, an unidentified Nameless secretly squatted under your commentary desk. You cooperated by continuously making strange sounds of unknown meaning, causing that enormously expensive interstellar event to be forcibly interrupted—"

"—Do you plead guilty, pa?"

The figure of "Akivili," now possessing Daziel's familiar female voice, replied weakly, a faint tremor in her voice.

"…I admit it."

Pom-Pom seemed satisfied with this answer, its tone growing even sterner.

"You, without permission, secretly infiltrated the Ha'iyi Federation Special Protection Zoo, used up a full half Amber Era's worth of the Express crew's public budget to madly purchase two hundred and fifty extremely endangered and highly reproductive Snoutbeast cubs."

"And you secretly raised them in the Express's public restroom, allowing them to breed freely, chaotically, and madly, ultimately causing the complete collapse of the Ha'iyi Federation's ecosystem, reducing it to a planet that only knows mad reproduction—"

"—Do you plead guilty, pa?"

Akivili said in a small voice, "I admit it… but the breeding getting out of control wasn't my intention…"

Pom-Pom pointed at Akivili. "You… you really need some discipline, pa!"

"Under the cover of night, you secretly invaded the sacred ground of the dining car's kitchen, claiming it urgently needed the highest level of 'disinfection' work! But instead, you were in there… and couldn't hold back!"

"Causing a full forty-two specially made, fragrant, flaky, crispy Pom-Pom Pies for the Conductor to be entirely contaminated with an unnamable strange substance! And! You also swiped the last bowl of secret recipe Express hot pot from the top shelf of the fresh-keeping cabinet, which the Conductor had reserved for a midnight snack! Forcing this Conductor to spend the long night starving—"

"—Do you plead guilty, pa?!"

Akivili's voice became even smaller. "That… not holding back part was your doing, wasn't it… But I did take the Express hot pot…"

"Ahem, ahem! Enough of your excuses! Don't think this is over; I'm not done listing your offenses, pa!"

Pom-Pom coughed lightly twice and continued, "Also, there's 'The Case of the Mass Disappearance of Express Databank Room Booking Entries,' 'The Incident of Watering Observation Car Potted Plants with Kidney Function Supplements,' 'The Furry-targeting attack on the Conductor during rest time,' 'The Case of Breaking into the Conductor's Private Condom Storage Vault'…"

Daziel listened, the corners of his eyes twitching uncontrollably, his brain practically short-circuiting.

What in the world is all this?!

Are these kinds of damn things supposed to happen on the Astral Express?!

Is this Akivili's image?!

Is this Pom-Pom's style?!

This thing…

Are you sure this isn't some third-rate, slanderous fanfiction cooked up by some Masked Fool or Fictional Historian after drinking too much?!

Even if it were posted on Punklorde's dark web, it would be taken down, right?!

Dr. Edward's emotionless synthesized voice interjected at the right moment, as if it could read his thoughts.

"Special note—I will not make any explanatory or suggestive comments on the content of this Dream Bubble. Its existence itself is its value."

Daziel took a deep breath, forcing himself to continue watching this absurd and preposterous "trial."

"I… I confess… I am the worst Nameless…"

The figure controlled by Daziel, emitting the clear female voice, now whispered dejectedly, her voice filled with self-loathing.

Paired with that unique voice belonging to "another version of himself," it surprisingly produced an indescribable blend of absurdity and a strange sort of charm.

"Hmph, the worst?"

Pom-Pom let out a cold snort full of disdain, its voice suddenly rising, carrying an almost cruel mockery.

"Compared to that agent of chaos who nearly blew up half the Express, your pathetic little incidents… are far from enough!"

Before the words even faded, Pom-Pom's voice, without any warning, became sharp, distorted, and piercing, like metal scraping against glass, or like the wails of countless tormented souls. It was no longer the stern but relatively normal childish voice from before!

At the same time, its already short figure, under the dim, flickering light, began to stretch, twist, and contort bizarrely, like putty!

Its cute, fluffy head began to peel away, piece by piece, revealing…

A red-based mask painted with a grotesque clownish grin!

A cold, withered hand with sharp, black fingernails shot out lightning-fast from behind Pom-Pom… no, from the shadows behind that unknown entity, filled with intense malice and mockery, viciously grabbing at the blurry figure called "Akivili"!

"Akivili" let out a scream of ultimate terror, that clear female voice now filled with pure fear and disbelief.

"Ah?! Aha!! You bastard… Why are you still haunting this place?!"

"No, don't come near me…!"

The scene—

Ended abruptly there!

Daziel's consciousness was violently ejected, as if shot from a catapult, from that absurd and bizarre memory fragment, returning him to the dimly lit Dream Emporium filled with countless specks of light.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, his heart pounded uncontrollably in his chest as if war drums were beating, and his breathing became somewhat rapid and disordered.

That memory just now…

This wasn't just absurd; this was absurdity throwing a house party!

Pom-Pom turning into a stern judge, interrogating Akivili?

Akivili being a woman obsessed with that kind of stuff and a furry enthusiast?

And that transformation at the end… the thing hidden inside Pom-Pom was… Aha, the Aeon of Elation?!

And Aha even made a move on Akivili?!

The upcoming plot, could it be…

Some kind of indescribable restricted content?!

Daziel felt his worldview suffering an unprecedentedly violent assault.

What kind of damn cosmic apocrypha is this!

Which dimension's Akivili would be like this?!

Even fan-made alterations should have some logic, damn it!

"Well, Mr. Daziel? This memory fragment about the Trailblaze, did it leave you feeling… satisfied?"

Dr. Edward's emotionless synthesized voice sounded at the right moment, breaking through Daziel's chaotic thoughts.

Daziel composed himself, forcibly suppressing the tempest in his heart. He looked at the giant eye of light, his voice tinged with a barely perceptible hoarseness.

"…"

"To reiterate, I will not make any explanatory or suggestive comments on the content of this Dream Bubble."

Dr. Edward cut him off curtly, leaving no room for discussion.

"In this Dream Bubble, you have merely shared the subjective memory fragments of the original owner. You have personally experienced what he saw and heard, what he thought and felt."

The implication was clear: its truth or falsehood was entirely up to Daziel to judge. It, as the "vendor," bore no responsibility and offered absolutely no after-sales interpretation services.

Daziel remained silent for a moment, his Adam's apple bobbing with difficulty.

He knew that no matter how much he pressed, he would never get any valuable information from this mysterious "Dr. Edward."

This entity's very existence was perhaps one of Penacony's many enigmas.

"Thank you for your hospitality."

Daziel adjusted his breathing, trying to make his tone sound calm and composed. "So, what price should I pay for experiencing this Dream Bubble?"

"You do not need to pay any fee!"

Dr. Edward's synthesized voice remained as flat as ever, yet it delivered surprising words.

"Our establishment promises that every first-time guest can experience any Dream Bubble of their choice for free! We welcome your return."

Hearing this, Daziel's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Free? Is there such a good thing in the world? Or is it…

This itself is another form of "price"?

He gave the giant eye of light a deep look, as if trying to discern something from it.

"I hope next time… it won't be so wild."

Daziel finally just muttered under his breath, a hint of helplessness and lingering trepidation in his voice. "It's a bit much to handle…"

Dr. Edward's voice sounded behind him, carrying a non-realistic, almost otherworldly sense of transaction:

"The charm of dreams lies in their infinite possibilities, does it not? I look forward to your next visit, Trailblazer."

The corners of Daziel's mouth twitched uncontrollably a few times. He didn't linger, turned, pushed open the shop door, and quickly left this "Dream Emporium" that was eerie through and through.

The clamor and light pollution of the outside street instantly rushed in, pulling him back into the ostentatious and frenetic dream reality of the "Golden Hour."

But that absurd and bizarre memory from just now, like a persistent nightmare, was deeply seared into his mind, impossible to shake off.

Too weird!

I need a brain that hasn't seen any of that!

…

Daziel rubbed his temples, which were faintly aching. That utterly absurd memory clung to his thoughts like sticky syrup, making him feel both nauseated and bewildered.

With an indescribable sense of frustration and regret, he tried to merge into the endless, deafeningly clamorous revelry of the crowd on the street.

Multicolor neon signs flashed wildly, the air thick with the cloyingly sweet smell of SoulGlad and some strange perfume, while earsplitting music and advertisements bombarded his eardrums.

Just then, in the shadow cast by a huge billboard at a street corner, a figure materialized silently.

The person leaned lazily against the cold wall, carelessly tossing a shiny chip between their fingertips, their face still wearing that trademark smile of someone who views the entire world as a gamble.

It was Aventurine.

He seemed to have been waiting there for quite some time. His gaze accurately pinpointed Daziel in the crowd, and he beckoned towards him with a slight curl of his finger, an elegant yet undeniable gesture.

A chill ran down Daziel's spine, but he maintained a calm exterior. His steps didn't falter as he inconspicuously broke away from the crowd and approached the shadow.

"It seems, my dear friend, you've concluded your… rather fruitful little expedition."

Aventurine's voice was extremely low, like a lover's whisper, yet with an icy, penetrating quality. His sharp eyes scanned the noisy crowd around them, ensuring this brief meeting hadn't attracted undue attention.

"So, about the cooperation we discussed earlier…"

His voice paused, as if carefully choosing his words, or perhaps savoring the momentary tranquility before the prey falls into the trap.

"Specifically… our upcoming plan concerning that radiant 'songbird' Miss."

Aventurine leaned in a little closer, his distinctive iris-hued eyes glinting with unsettling shrewdness and greed in the dim light.

Daziel's brows furrowed tightly. He watched Aventurine warily and retorted in a deep voice, "So, what do you want me to do?"

The curve of Aventurine's lips deepened. His tone was nonchalant, as if discussing an ordinary business deal, but the content was chilling.

"Very simple, my friend. You go and find a way to 'invite' Miss Robin out, to some… secluded spot."

He paused deliberately, enjoying the flash of shock and resistance that crossed Daziel's face.

"When the time comes, what exactly you want to do to her… well, that naturally depends entirely on your 'interests,' doesn't it?"

Aventurine's gaze was heavy with blatant insinuation and temptation, as if instigating some dark desire.

"I'll send you the specific route and timing via encrypted message. Be sure to check for it."

"…"

Daziel hesitated slightly.

Just as Aventurine seemed about to add more details, a flippant female voice, laced with obvious amusement, sounded beside them without warning, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, instantly shattering the subtle and tense atmosphere between the two.

"Oh my, oh my~ How could Big Brother Daziel not include me in something so fun?"

The voice was coquettish and sweet, as if dipped in honey, yet it carried an indescribable teasing quality and a hidden sense of danger.

A man, dressed like an ordinary passerby and utterly inconspicuous, had silently appeared beside them at some point, at an unnervingly close distance.

The "man" had a giggling smile on his face. He casually raised his hand and removed the slightly comical, oversized sunglasses from his face.

In the changing light, in an instant, an exquisitely beautiful yet mischievous and chaotically inclined girlish face was revealed.

And those pink pupils, which seemed to hold countless pranks, sparkled with an alluring luster.

It was Sparkle!

That impish brat, Sparkle!

Seeing who it was, a flicker of almost imperceptible surprise flashed through Aventurine's eyes, but the emotion was perfectly concealed almost the instant it appeared.

His composure didn't lessen in the slightest; he even showed a more playful smile, tinged with the interest of someone who's found a worthy opponent.

"Oh? Isn't this the renowned Miss Sparkle from the tavern? Such a rare guest."

Aventurine's tone rose slightly, carrying a hint of inquiry.

"What's this? Have even the 'Masked Fools' become interested in the increasingly murky waters of Penacony?"

Sparkle giggled, her fair fingers twirling a mischievous strand of hair by her temple. Her actions were demure, but her eyes were as cunning as a fox.

"Interested, of course, I am~ But, it's not just for fun, you know!"

She blinked, her gaze unabashedly flitting between Daziel and Aventurine, finally settling on Daziel.

"The bigger reason is because my adorable Big Brother Daziel is here too…"

Her voice trailed off, carrying a coquettish tone that inexplicably sent a shiver down Daziel's spine.

Daziel took a deep breath, feeling the veins in his temples throbbing again. He unceremoniously cut off Sparkle's cloying tone.

"If you have any crazy ideas, go do them yourself. Behave yourself in front of others."

This little brat, does she think she's in bed, being so unrestrained…

Although, after he had maxed out Sparkle's corruption value, he had asked her to maintain her impish brat nature, but a natural talent is truly terrifying!

Aventurine looked at this sudden variable that had intruded, then glanced at Daziel, who was glaring fiercely. The light in his calculating eyes shifted, as if he had weighed the pros and cons in an instant.

He spread his hands elegantly, adopting a helpless yet accepting posture.

"Alright, alright, since Miss Sparkle has said so… And, a friend's woman is naturally also a friend, right?"

Aventurine's smile was impeccable, as if the sinister proposal from moments ago had never existed.

"Having one more person to stir things up might just… add an unexpected 'surprise' to our game, don't you think?"

He glanced meaningfully at Sparkle, as if to say: I know you want to watch the show, so let's do it together.

Sparkle immediately clapped her hands excitedly, producing a crisp sound, her face blooming with a pure, childlike joy.

"That's great! I knew it! Sticking with Big Brother Daziel always guarantees endless fun!"

Daziel stood to the side, watching with a blank expression as these two, each with their own ulterior motives, seemed to reach some bizarre "consensus" in just a few words.

A strong sense of unease, like an icy tide, quickly submerged his heart.

This feeling…

It's like I've been tricked onto a pirate ship, and the captain and chief engineer are both certified lunatics!

Fortunately, at least one of them is my completely obedient plaything; if she doesn't listen, I can take a fire poker to her…

"Well then, wait for my message regarding the specific details."

Aventurine seemed to believe his interim objective had been achieved, or perhaps Sparkle's appearance had disrupted his originally more private plans. He didn't intend to stay long.

He gave Daziel and Sparkle a perfunctory nod, his demeanor still dashing.

He turned and, without a backward glance, melded into the bustling, glamorous flow of people and lights on the street. His figure soon disappeared as if he had never been there.

In the dim street corner, only Daziel and this elusive, alluring impish brat remained.

The moment Aventurine left, the innocent smile on Sparkle's face underwent a subtle transformation.

Though still smiling, her grin now held a greater degree of cunning and ill intent.

She turned her head and, almost immediately, as if boneless, snuggled up affectionately against Daziel, even rubbing her small head dependently against his arm, a natural movement, clearly done countless times.

"Alright, alright~ That annoying, scheming guy who reeks of money has finally been dealt with!"

Sparkle tilted her small face up, beaming at Daziel, her tone light and cheerful.

"Now, it's time for us to have a good talk about… my business, okay, Big Brother Daziel~?"

"Big Brother Daziel, do you remember? I told you before about that really interesting commission I took on?"

Sparkle's eyes were sparkling, filled with the excitement of someone who loves to stir up trouble.

"It's about that cool Stellaron Hunter, Miss Sam…"

"Those three mysterious and interesting 'deaths'..."

___

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