Chapter 171: Who is the good guy? Who is the bad guy?
Meanwhile, Stelle scratched her head awkwardly and left the room.
After walking down the hallway for a while, she finally reached her own room.
The camera paused for a second on the room number displayed on the door—666.
But as Stelle opened the door, instead of an empty room, there was already someone standing inside.
"What a coincidence, my friend. We meet again." Aventurine turned around, revealing his gem-like eyes.
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Aventurine? The moment they saw this man in the room, the audience immediately became wary.
"What are you doing here?" Stelle looked at Aventurine with vigilance.
"Don't be so tense. I just came here to share in the good fortune. After all, half a system hour ago, wasn't this place mine?"
"A lucky building number, a lucky floor, a lucky room number—this kind of room is now yours, my friend." Aventurine remained nonchalant, his expression still relaxed.
But no one knew that, at this very moment, he had already begun his scheming.
The audience, like Stelle, was extremely cautious of Aventurine.
"This room was a gift from you?" Stelle clearly didn't believe him.
"Of course. Think about it—what kind of people can stay here? Without my planning and strategy, how could The Family dare to offend these prominent figures?"
"Go ahead and open the door for this uninvited guest."
"So, let's sit down and talk. By any measure, I think I qualify, don't I?"
After saying this, Aventurine casually sat down on the sofa.
Stelle thought about it for a moment. She didn't realize the subtle manipulation in Aventurine's words.
Scratching her head somewhat troubled, she said, "If you want to chat, you should talk to Himeko or Welt."
"Wrong. The one I want to talk to is you."
Aventurine sat on the sofa, crossing his legs.
The look in his eyes exuded a sense of confidence, as if he already had everything under control.
"Simply put, my friend, I need your help."
"Perhaps you don't know yet, but Penacony is far more complicated than it seems. The Family's spies are everywhere here. I won't spell it out—you understand."
At this point, Aventurine paused for a moment to ensure that Stelle could grasp the meaning behind his words.
Then he continued, "My goal is very simple: to help the IPC reclaim what rightfully belongs to it. If you're willing to assist me, in return, you will…"
"You will receive a generous reward! And also the protection of 'Preservation.'"
Stelle folded her arms, listening to Aventurine's words, full of provocation and temptation, yet she remained unmoved.
...
: Protection of Preservation? Stelle, just pull out your lance and show him!
: You think such a meager reward can persuade the Galactic Baseballer? What a joke.
: But honestly, Aventurine's style, no matter what he does, always reeks of negotiation.
: First, he claims to have given an expensive gift, then follows up with his demands.
: That 'friend' of his probably isn't a friend but a disposable resource.
: Aventurine is likely here for the same reason as Topaz: to reclaim Penacony. But this time, unlike with Belobog, the Harmony's Family is present. The IPC will have a hard time.
: No wonder, when he talked to Himeko, it was both a show of force and an offer of friendship. He's probably long determined to drag the Astral Express into this mess.
: Money, power—those things aren't enough to convince the Express, Aventurine.
...
As the audience discussed, on the screen, Aventurine chuckled lightly, the room's atmosphere shifting subtly in his favor.
He was forced to make his words clearer.
"After all, you're different from the others. You're special—special enough to overturn the entire game."
"That 'power'—don't you want to use it? Or... don't you want to break free from it? Don't you want to use it to make your name known across the universe?"
"The 'power' that countless people in the universe fear yet yearn for is right there, in your grasp."
"Am I right, Miss 'Stellaron?'"
...
: ??!! How does he know that?
: The Stellaron gaining sentience should be a highly secret matter, right?
: So, this means the IPC actually knows all about Stelle's identity.
: But back in Topaz's dealings with Jarilo, she didn't know this. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so reckless.
: In other words, between the end of the Future Market and now—such a short period—the IPC, or the Strategic Investment Division, managed to uncover such critical information?
: This is what the IPC does...
...
Stelle's true identity.
In the eyes of the audience, this was highly classified information.
In other series, this kind of revelation would usually be saved for the finale.
But in Honkai: Star Rail, it was plausibly discovered by other forces, once again showcasing the IPC's or the larger factions' capabilities.
On the screen, Stelle remained expressionless, calmly eating instant noodles, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Heh. It doesn't matter. You don't have to answer me now."
"When the time is right, I'll come find you."
"You can discuss it with your companions, or even turn the tables and use me. I welcome that—because that would demonstrate your value to me."
"But I never make a losing deal. I hope you and your 'friends' won't let me down." Aventurine spread his hands, speaking as he walked toward the door.
He's just bringing it up casually, after all, no matter how one chooses, the result won't change.
As he passed by Stelle, and was about to reach the door, he stopped.
"Oh, right, let's play a little game."
"It's simple: guess which hand the chip is in. Think of it as a way to get to know me better, to understand my personality and how I handle things."
With a ding, a chip was tossed into the air and vanished in the blink of an eye, replaced by two tightly clenched fists.
"Left or right? Get ready, I'm about to reveal the answer." Aventurine showed his clenched fists with a playful smile, "Oh, it seems I haven't asked which side you choose yet. But that's fine. After all…"
He opened both hands.
There was only one chip, which he began to juggle between his hands while walking toward Stelle.
His eyes brimmed with an overwhelming sense of pressure.
"Friend, the game's already started."
"Let's make a deal; you can't refuse."
"There's no reason…"
As Aventurine spoke, the coin he had been playing with between his hands suddenly disappeared into thin air!
Approaching Stelle, he raised both hands, spread his fingers, and showed his empty palms.
Stelle suddenly felt something and looked down.
At some unknown moment, the coin had appeared in her palm.
When she looked back up, Aventurine's oppressive face had already leaned in, looking down at her from above.
"And with no room for negotiation."
The audience's eyes followed Aventurine's tricks, their gaze moving back and forth with the coin, trying to guess which hand it would end up in.
But the result was beyond everyone's expectations.
The coin, much like every clue in Penacony so far, ended up in an unpredictable place—Stelle's hand.
It was impossible to foresee.
But undeniably, this scene vividly demonstrated Aventurine's unique personality.
At this moment, just as Aventurine was about to continue pressuring Stelle with his words,
Acheron's voice suddenly rang out at the doorway.
"What are you two doing in my room?"
...
: Huh? So intense?
: This room's so in demand; whose room is it really, anyway?
: Acheron appeared at the beginning of this episode, but now she's finally showing up in reality.
: It feels like she knows a lot. I wonder if there will be even more shocking revelations later.
...
The three of them stood in the room, and the previously tense atmosphere dissipated.
Aventurine stopped being aggressive and reverted to his usual frivolous and arrogant playboy demeanor.
"Hmm..."
"Impressive, friend. You've just arrived at Penacony and already learned how to recruit people."
"Don't get me wrong; that game just now was to remind you that this place is full of mixed characters, with plenty of malicious people. Stay sharp."
After saying this, Aventurine cast a meaningful look at Acheron, then turned and left.
Stelle was still in a daze, while Acheron remained silent until Aventurine had left.
She then glared at Stelle, thought for a moment, and said, "Why are you still here?"
"This is my room, okay?" Stelle was still confused.
"..."
"Just kidding, don't be nervous. This is indeed your room; I was just passing by."
"This hotel is so big, and the hallways are so similar that it's easy to get lost if you're not careful." Acheron said this calmly.
Though the line was ordinary, the subtitles suddenly turned red!
Before the audience could react, Acheron continued, "I just saw someone sneaking in from outside, so I followed them to check it out. Anyway, just stay alert."
"But before I leave, may I ask you a question?"
"It might sound strange or even impolite, but I want to know."
"Have we met before?"
At this moment, the audience's scalps tingled.
Too eerie.
From the moment they entered Penacony, this unsettling feeling had lingered, and this episode seemed to be hinting at something.
What does the red subtitle mean?
What hidden messages lie beneath these seemingly ordinary lines?
The fans were going crazy.
After receiving Stelle's vague answer,
Acheron introduced herself again.
"Galaxy Ranger, Acheron... that's what they call me. Feel free to use it; we'll likely meet again."
"And one last piece of advice."
"There's a type of person with unyielding will and faith, but they don't intend to use it for the right path."
"And on that gentleman's face just now, I saw a hint of malice."
The red subtitles appeared again.
After saying this, Acheron left without further interruption.
Stelle was left alone in the room, feeling confused.
...
: I can't take it anymore. The red subtitles are giving me chills all over.
: This is way too suspenseful, and Acheron is so strange!
: She suddenly barged in, seemingly just to drive Aventurine away. And she mentioned having a bad memory and often forgetting things.
: Can you even be a Galaxy Ranger like that? Would Lan approve?
: Both Aventurine and Acheron gave Stelle warnings. Aventurine said this place is full of mixed characters and malicious people, while Acheron outright suggested staying away from Aventurine.
: So, which of the two is telling the truth?
: Whoa, I get it now, everyone! This is like a game of Werewolf!
: Hahaha, so true! Aventurine and Acheron were just like players making their speeches, trying to convince Stelle they're the good guys.
: OMG, this is going to be so good. With so many characters in Penacony, there's so much potential!
...
One comment resonated with many fans.
They finally understood where the suspense and mystery in Penacony came from.
It's like a game of Werewolf, Stelle is the good guy.
Together with Stelle's perspective, they have to discern who among the people around her is genuinely good and who is the wolf or the bad guy.
The good guys might stay silent, while the wolves might mislead with their actions.
While playing Werewolf, they must also uncover the true secrets of Penacony.
For the fans, this viewing experience was absolutely thrilling!