Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

"But…"

March 7th trailed off, a faint blush warming her cheeks as she remembered her earlier, bolder words. "But… I'm just worried…"

"Worried about what?"

Daziel turned, a smile playing on his lips as he watched March 7th's suddenly shy and hesitant demeanor.

"I'm worried… that after everything I said… once this is all over… you'll really… you actually will…" Her voice faded, barely a whisper.

Daziel blinked, then chuckled as he realized March 7th was still caught up on their previous conversation. "Little March," he said gently, amusement in his tone, "what on earth are you thinking? Why would I ever do something like that to you?"

"Re-really?" March 7th looked up, her eyes wide with a flicker of doubt.

"Of course, really!" Daziel reached out and ruffled her hair affectionately. "I swear, I would never do anything to you that you didn't want, Little March."

"Mmm… is that so…" March 7th nodded slowly, still a touch uncertain. A slight shiver ran through her, and her gaze drifted, unfocused for a moment. "Then… you have to promise you'll keep your word."

Looking at March 7th's utterly endearing expression, warmth bloomed in Daziel's chest. He silently vowed to protect this pure-hearted, kind, if a little clumsy, girl from ever being hurt.

However, Daziel couldn't know that beneath March 7th's lingering doubt, a strange, faint pang of disappointment resonated within her. Even she couldn't quite grasp the source of that feeling…

"Alright, let's drop this for now," Daziel said, smoothly changing the subject. "We should message Topaz and see where she is."

…

[March 7th: Miss Topaz, are you free right now?]

[AI Reply: Greetings. Director Topaz is currently engaged and unable to respond to your message. Please await her availability.]

[March 7th: An auto-reply? Doesn't she usually reply even when she's working?]

[AI Reply: Greetings. Director Topaz is currently engaged and unable to respond to your message. Please await her availability.]

[Daziel: Could you tell me Director Topaz's current location?]

[AI Reply: Greetings. Querying Director Topaz's schedule… Please await.]

[AI Reply: Director Topaz is presently conducting inspection duties across "Jarilo-VI," encompassing "Belobog," "Overworld," and the "History and Culture Museum."]

…

Pocketing his phone, Daziel turned to March 7th. "Looks like we know where Topaz is. Let's head out."

"Okay!" March 7th nodded, her earlier hesitation gone.

The two of them set off towards the History and Culture Museum.

Belobog's History and Culture Museum stood proudly in the Overworld. Its exterior walls, crafted from pristine white stone, shimmered brilliantly in the almost-temperatureless sunlight. Inside, a wealth of precious cultural relics and historical artifacts lay on display.

Gazing at the museum, a wave of weariness washed over Daziel. Almost every exhibit within its walls was something he, an outsider, had personally unearthed. Actually doing this – lugging ancient machinery, dusting relics – was a far cry from clicking a mouse in the game. He'd almost thrown out his back moving some of those dusty contraptions.

If it weren't for the fear of causing worldline deviations, he wouldn't have bothered with this kind of tedious, backbreaking labor. After all, this world offered no Stellar Jade rewards, just meager Credit Point remuneration. And Belobog, stuck out in the boonies as it was, wasn't exactly overflowing with cash.

…

Daziel gently guided March 7th down the corridor to the right. As they walked, his eyes scanned their surroundings, searching for any sign of Topaz.

Suddenly, he halted. In a shadowed alcove at the end of the corridor, he spotted a familiar figure. Her back was to them, a communicator held to her ear, clearly engaged in a call.

That silver hair, the tailored red and white professional suit, that slender silhouette with its undeniably alluring curves, and of course, those signature, shapely thighs and perfectly rounded…

"It's Miss Topaz…!" March 7th's face brightened, and she started to step forward, ready to greet her.

Daziel swiftly stopped her, a hand on her arm. March 7th looked back, a question in her eyes.

"Let's wait until she's finished. It's not polite to interrupt, and besides…" Daziel leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice. "Let's maybe… eavesdrop a little." He gently pulled March 7th into the shadows, concealing them from view.

"Oh," March 7th whispered back, understanding dawning.

…

From Topaz's communicator, a man's voice, distorted and electronic, echoed faintly.

"...Topaz, don't say I didn't warn you. The Astral Express crew is on Jarilo-VI right now. They could interfere, so you need to handle this with extreme care."

Hearing this, Daziel's expression instantly turned serious. This line was definitely new. The Corporation shouldn't have known they'd get involved beforehand.

Where had this man gotten that information?

The voice on the other end used some kind of processor, a noisy electronic buzz layering over it, making it impossible to recognize. Could it be Aventurine?

Daziel drew March 7th further into the shadows, wanting to hear what else they would say…

"...I understand. I'll be careful," Topaz's voice was low, troubled. "But… I still think this whole thing… it just doesn't feel right."

"There's no 'right' or 'wrong' here, Topaz. You have no choice. It's all or nothing." The man's voice hardened, a sharp edge of warning entering his tone. "This is the Corporation's directive. The higher-ups have given their orders. If you fail to resolve this… decisively… you'll be demoted three ranks."

"Demoted from P45 to P42. You understand what that means, don't you? I won't be your peer anymore. I'll be your superior. We won't even have a chance for those afternoon teas in the same room."

Demoted three ranks?! Daziel felt a jolt of shock. He distinctly remembered Topaz only being demoted by a single rank in the original timeline, even after mission failure. How had it become three ranks now?

Was this the butterfly effect of his actions? Had his deviations from the expected script already created such a significant ripple? Or was the system somehow influencing events, subtly shifting the perceptions of others?

"...I understand," Topaz finally said, her voice heavy with resignation. "I will do everything I can."

"Not 'do your best.' This is the only path, Topaz." The man emphasized, his voice laced with a chilling finality. "Remember, the fate of your homeworld rests in your hands. Unlike me, you actually have a choice here. So, choose wisely."

"…I understand."

The call ended abruptly. Topaz remained standing there, motionless, lost in thought.

Daziel, hidden in the shadows, had heard every word. His mind raced, a whirlwind of questions and uncertainties. Before the system's arrival, the plot had been immutable, predictable. He'd been certain he knew the unfolding narrative of Star Rail inside and out.

But now, it was clear: things were changing, shifting in ways he couldn't foresee. And the consequences of these changes remained shrouded in mystery.

Daziel took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm his racing thoughts. No matter what, he had to talk to Topaz face-to-face now. Even if she was already suspicious of the Astral Express, negotiation was the only option.

With newfound resolve, he gently pulled March 7th from their hiding spot and stepped out towards Topaz.

___

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