Honkai Impact: I, The Herrscher of Ice, Am Loved By Players

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Gazing at the girl in her arms, Ana remained somewhat bewildered. She never expected the System to pull off such a move. However, if this truly is Sirin...

"It's alright, Sirin. Those were just dreams. Look, you're perfectly fine now," Ana reassured gently, stroking Sirin's hair.

"But, I'm really scared, afraid of losing all of you..."

"Don't worry, see? I'm right here with you."

Continuing to comfort Sirin, memories related to this world's Sirin surfaced in Ana's mind. Sirin was the child of her mother's cousin, belonging to a distant branch of their family. Her father had passed away early, and her mother succumbed to illness, leaving Sirin alone and orphaned.

Unwilling to let her aunt's lineage end, Ana's mother took Sirin under her care, just as she did in the previous life. Consequently, Sirin still lacked a sense of security, similar to before.

Feeling overwhelmed by these memories, Ana experienced a wave of headache.

System, bringing Sirin here is one thing, but why give her such a tragic backstory? Couldn't you at least make it easier for this adorable girl during our second chance at life?

"Uh-huh, but Sirin is still worried, worried about you and Auntie..."

"Alright, alright, stop there, darling! No more gloomy talk now!" Ana hastily interrupted Sirin, fearing that if she continued, something even more troubling might be revealed. The circumstances surrounding Sirin's appearance were already suspicious, and Ana didn't want any additional complications.

Although Ana didn't wish to think negatively, especially not about discouraging words, it was indeed best to avoid them.

"All right, all right, don't dwell on it too much. Over the next few days, I'll take you out for some fun before we head back. Big sister is quite busy here; after this period, I might not be able to constantly look after you," Ana said earnestly. Her reality inversion would last only one or two more days, during which she could spend quality time with Sirin. Once she departs, she couldn't predict how the World Correction Force would handle things.

To avoid any unforeseen complications, she must send Sirin back before her time runs out.

At least, their mother should be able to take good care of Sirin, and even if anything unexpected happens to Ana's own existence, it wouldn't create significant loopholes.

Tsk tsk, there aren't many Descenders as considerate as me...

"Okay, thank you, Ana."

Sirin nodded obediently. As the saying goes, children from impoverished backgrounds mature quickly, and Sirin naturally displayed exceptional maturity and understanding. She knew Ana was very busy and didn't want to disturb her, but this time, she was genuinely terrified.

She had a strong feeling that everything in her dreams was real. Perhaps, in another world, Ana truly did save her, and Sirin indeed committed horrifying crimes.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Sirin repeatedly apologized to herself, but it couldn't alleviate her growing fear and anxiety. She could almost visualize those people reaching out to her, demanding answers.

This was the burden of guilt that Sirin carried; even after her reincarnation into another world, it had not completely vanished, continuing to haunt her. However, she never shared these feelings with Ana.

Despite this, nestled in Ana's embrace, Sirin felt a rare sense of warmth and security.

She didn't dare hope for it to last forever; just...just for a moment, her wish was as simple as that...

"Speaking of which, you must be hungry by now. Come on, let's go enjoy a big feast!"

With that, Ana called out to the housekeeper:

"Grandpa Edward, please have Uncle Li prepare something according to Sirin's preferences."

For someone like Ana, having a private chef was quite ordinary. In fact, many renowned chefs would eagerly vie for such a position, considering the benefits alone. Moreover, Ana spent little time at home, so occasions requiring the services of a private chef were few and far between.

The job entailed minimal effort yet offered ample rewards, making even sudden requests like this inconsequential.

The ingredients were already stocked, always fresh and top-tier, ready for immediate use.

After dinner, Ana comfortably settled down with Sirin on her lap to browse the internet. She casually skimmed through some clothes and bags before opening a certain video-sharing website.

It wasn't that she genuinely disliked those items; it's just there was no real need for her to look at them extensively.

Given her status in this world, if she desired any of those products, mentioning it to the butler would promptly deliver the latest models right to her doorstep, regardless of limited global availability. With such convenience, browsing these luxury goods lost its appeal.

Moreover, having constantly lived under immense pressure in the Honkai World, now finally able to relax, she naturally preferred watching content that brought joy and upliftment.

And 2019 happened to be the peak year of "Kun-Kun" phenomenon. Although worlds differed, Kun-Kun's fame remained consistent across dimensions. In this year, his influence soared, continuing to provide endless amusement for trolls and fans alike.

One could even argue that 2019 was a remarkable year for emerging talents. Regardless, Ana thoroughly enjoyed her time browsing videos on the platform.

Many familiar trends from her previous life surfaced during this period. Looking back, perhaps due to slight memory loss or simply because classics never fade, Ana found herself engrossed once again.

As for Sirin, she didn't quite understand what Ana was watching. However, listening to Ana's infectious laughter, sometimes bordering on mischievous, gradually lulled her to sleep.

Throughout the previous day, Ana had been constantly on edge, consumed by fear and anxiety. Now, finally able to fully relax, she managed to drift off peacefully.

Seeing Sirin asleep, Ana toned down her enthusiasm, lowered the volume, and gently picked up Sirin, intending to carry her back to the guest room for rest.

However, Sirin clung tightly to Ana's arm, leaving her with no choice but to stay put.

Originally, this could have been a perfect opportunity for Ana to unwind, easing her fatigue and rejuvenating herself. Instead, she found herself simply accompanying Sirin.

She dared not wake Sirin, as the memory of those earlier accusing eyes filled Ana with overwhelming guilt.

Yes, it was Ana who killed Sirin, giving her painful memories. Yet, paradoxically, Sirin believed that Ana had ultimately saved her, providing her with release. It truly felt...

With these thoughts, Ana's casual attitude vanished instantly, without any trace of resentment.

This is what she owed Sirin; let it be, let it be.

For Sirin, this sleep brought long-awaited pleasant dreams. Her past experiences in this world were entirely fabricated by the System; she hadn't actually lived through them. Thus, her true past remained as the Herrscher of the Void, Sirin.

In that fabricated history, Sirin never truly felt secure.

As fitting for her nickname among Players: Pufferfish.

Indeed, she was much like a pufferfish in every aspect. She surrounded herself with prickly defenses to protect herself, using inflation to mask her inner unease and emptiness—a child starved for love.

Consequently, Sirin harbored both envy and resentment towards others. When these emotions were maliciously manipulated, it naturally led to the Second Honkai Eruption.

"Awake now?"

Sirin had just opened her eyes when she heard this voice nearby.

Before her gaze lay Ana's strikingly beautiful face once more. At that moment, Ana leaned against a soft pillow, rapidly scrolling through her phone as if carefree, while outside, the sky remained bright.

Despite its brightness, nearly half a day had already passed.

Such unwavering vigilance is something even hospital nurses might struggle to maintain, but fortunately, Ana was no ordinary person.

Alright, after ensuring Sirin was deeply asleep, Ana did eventually relax her grip; otherwise, sitting still for eight hours would indeed be torture.

However, most of the time, Ana stayed by Sirin's side.

"You sure can sleep, little pufferfish."

Ana gently pinched and poked Sirin's cheeks.

Surprisingly, Sirin didn't mind being called a pufferfish; instead, she found it somewhat endearing.

In her previous life, she had never seen a pufferfish, but in this lifetime's memories, she did encounter them, and indeed, they were quite cute despite being poisonous.

"Would you like to eat something more?"

Ana suggested again, secretly chuckling inside.

Eat, then sleep; sleep, then eat—Sirin was truly turning into a pig at this rate.

"Hmm... Is that okay?" Sirin asked, slightly embarrassed. She felt she might be overstepping, but Ana's pastries were simply irresistible, making it worth indulging.

"Why wouldn't it be? Housekeeper." Ana couldn't help but smile before calling out for assistance once more.

Promptly, the housekeeper arrived, thoughtfully bringing snacks and refreshments this time, considering it was already morning.

"Thank you, Grandpa Housekeeper."

"Serving the Young Lady is my honor," replied the housekeeper warmly with a kind smile, lifting Ana's spirits as well. In her memory, he had been serving her mother faithfully for many years, only reassigned to assist Ana due to her mother's affection towards her.

In theory, he could assist her with nearly ninety percent of her tasks. The remaining ten percent pertained to personal matters.

"How about going out together with Big Sister today?" Ana gently chuckled, watching Sirin devour her food ravenously, then asked, almost coaxing like she would a child.

Indeed, she planned to venture out today, specifically to visit a comic convention.

Back in 2019, otaku culture wasn't as thriving as it would be in the future; it remained niche at that time. While not openly scorned in reality, it was true that most otakus tended to have social anxiety issues.

However, following the release of "Genshin Impact" and its subsequent widespread popularity, the appeal of two-dimensional culture deepened significantly, fostering further growth and prosperity around it.

As a result, more comic conventions emerged, attracting even those with exceptional social skills who were eager to showcase themselves. Another contributing factor was the impending global catastrophe set to unfold shortly thereafter.

From economic and lifestyle perspectives, it indeed was a catastrophe.

Ana couldn't help but narrow her eyes. In reality, the immense popularity of Genshin Impact later also had some connection to this event. With everyone staying at home, unable to work, naturally, they sought alternative forms of entertainment.

But let's not stray too far. To sum up, for comic conventions, the upcoming one would essentially be their last hurrah, as there wouldn't be any more for a significant period afterward.

There wasn't much Ana could do about it. Even in the future, humanity failed to fully overcome this challenge, and vaccines often target specific strains individually. Unfortunately, Ana lacked the medical knowledge; if she possessed Jackal's intellect, perhaps she could have made a difference.

It was truly regrettable.

"Yes."

Sirin obediently nodded, feeling both guilty and embarrassed towards Ana now. Naturally, she wouldn't decline Ana's invitation, especially since she really wanted to go out and explore.

While abroad, she had always lived within the confines of her family's estate. Even if her aunt hadn't taken her in, Ana would have remained isolated and detached from the world.

"Great, then I'll leave it to you, Grandpa Housekeeper."

Ana smiled warmly at the housekeeper standing nearby.

The housekeeper naturally nodded in response.

"Don't worry, Young Lady. The private jet is ready and can depart at any time."

This comic convention was not in Shanghai but in Lin'an city.

Although there was still some time before departure, as everyone knows, applying makeup and getting dressed up takes considerable effort—especially for the intricate detailing that Ana required.

Last time, she casually strolled around in casual attire. But this time, she planned to fully embrace cosplay. As for whom she'd be cosplaying? It certainly wasn't herself; instead, it was—Cecilia.

In reality, there were significant differences between her and Cecilia. Cecilia clearly had a fuller figure, being a genuine mother already, while Ana had just recently turned eighteen.

To bridge the gap, she needed colored contact lenses, a wig, and appropriate clothing.

Achieving an authentic cosplay requires significant time and effort, especially when it comes to details like eye shadow and facial makeup. Additionally, one's natural features play a crucial role, including body shape, facial structure, and more.

After meeting these foundational requirements, the next step is mastering the art of makeup, often dubbed as Asia's mystical skill.

Unfortunately, Ana hadn't taken full advantage of learning from Rita's expertise earlier; otherwise, she might have had an easier time now.

She was quite curious about how Ghost achieved such miraculous makeup during the Lunar Eclipse arc. However, due to the urgency back then, there never seemed to be another opportunity to inquire.

In any case, after spending an hour and a half, Ana completed her makeup. With the custom-made cosplay outfit prepared beforehand, she struck a pose while gazing at herself in the mirror.

"How do I look? Do you think it resembles her?" Ana softly asked, directing her question towards the little angel standing beside her.

Sirin observed Ana, her gaze somewhat dazed as peculiar memories resurfaced. A name caught in Sirin's throat, hesitating to be spoken aloud.

As Ana prompted her, Sirin couldn't hold back any longer.

"M...Mom..."

For cosplaying Cecilia, what better validation could there be than praise from Herrscher of the Void herself, Sirin?

"Uh-huh, such a good girl, Sirin! But my little angel, you should call me 'Big Sister'!"

"I'm still young; I can't be your mother, understand?"

"Then, can Big Sister become my mother someday?" Out of nowhere, Sirin blurted this question.