Honkai Star Rail: Developing Mobile Games on Xianzhou

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["As you approach the entrance of the Seat of Divine Foresight, an inexplicable hesitation suddenly overtakes you..."]

"Stelle: (Can't alert them prematurely; let's first check Kafka's location...)"

Seeing this, Kafka's gaze slightly darkened.

Among the mission options, only one remained—"Proceed to Kafka's location."

Silver Wolf swiveled his chair around and addressed Kafka, "See? As I said earlier, how could they design a quest where you'd fail right at the start?"

"This is still a game, after all!"

"If players had such choices, some would undoubtedly skip all the storylines just to claim the rewards."

Kafka nodded. "It seems that although the game's storyline offers different choices leading to various dialogues, they all converge towards the same outcome."

"If this is how games are designed, could reality also be one massive game?"

Silver Wolf's lips curved slightly. "I like your analogy, but why so philosophical today?"

"Well, it's because we just pulled off something major, coinciding with the release of my character PV and opening up our joint quest... Of course, it calls for some deep contemplation."

"Suit yourself. Carry on; I need to grind Relics and improve my gear proficiency." Silver Wolf turned away, maneuvering his swivel chair to the designated gaming area he had set up, undisturbed.

However, before leaving, he casually added one more thought:

"I find life interesting now, enjoying it quite a bit, so I'm willing to continue being a Stellaron Hunter."

"Just like a game... It's all about having fun. As long as we're enjoying ourselves, who cares about the rest?"

In Little Gui's livestream, after careful consideration, she decided to prioritize returning to the Parlor Car to seek advice from Himeko and Welt.

Both gave similar responses—recommending that she meet with Kafka.

With the approval of these two Astral Express mentors, Guinaifen promptly teleported to the Divination Commission.

Arriving at the specified coordinates:

"Mom, I'm here!"

In a quiet alleyway, Kafka stood before a lit room, seemingly waiting patiently.

"I knew you would come, Stelle."

As Guinaifen approached Kafka, through the half-open window, she spotted Blade inside, eyes closed in a meditative pose.

"Wonderful! Mom and Uncle Blade are both here. A family must always stick together!"

She stepped forward and initiated dialogue with Kafka once more.

"If one possessed Elio's eyes, the world would no longer appear as it does now; countless possibilities overlap, representing the consequences of different choices. At every moment, infinite options continuously converge into a single point, becoming the present, transforming into the past..."

"Is this your choice? To accept my request and help me?"

[Yes, after all, you need my assistance.]

[I haven't decided yet.]

[No, I'm here to reject you.]

After a moment of contemplation, Guinaifen chose the third option.

She explained, "When dealing with Mom, it's crucial not to agree outright; we must tease her a bit!"

Kafka responded, surprised, "Huh... Really? Would you actually reject me?"

"If you intended to reject me, why would you be here now?"

[You're right... I do want to help you.]

[Because I needed to say 'no' face-to-face.]

[Because I had no other choice...]

"Three options again."

"Now, I could reveal my true feelings, but there's no need. Let's continue teasing a bit more."

Guinaifen selected the third option.

"Yes, indeed, we are both... 'Slaves of Destiny'."

"The concept of 'destiny' is neither visible nor tangible; however, just like all the converging moments of past and present, its existence is undeniable. I called upon you, and you arrived; despite having numerous choices, everything led you here...to this precise time and place."

"You responded to my call, knowing I genuinely need your assistance, yet you hesitate. Why?"

[I want to understand the situation...]

[I just dislike you.]

[I don't believe in fate.]

The second option was clearly out of the question.

It seemed too harsh.

So Guinaifen chose the third:

"Do you believe this universe is truly free?"

"Alright, then let's preserve this choice for now—Trailblazer, will you stay with me? For my sake."

At this point, only two options remained:

[I'll stay and help you.]

[I won't remain.]

Guinaifen pondered for nearly three minutes before finally taking a deep breath.

"Friends, I think it's crucial to make the right decision at this moment."

"If I refuse again, there might really be no turning back."

"After all, Mom always said, 'When faced with a choice, never allow yourself to regret it.'"

"We've already been cheeky three times in a row; further refusal would truly break Kafka's heart~"

[I'll stay and help you.]

"Thank you. On this Xianzhou... you're the only one I can rely upon."

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Kafka did not choose "I'll stay and help you," but instead continued to refuse—opting for "I won't stay."

To Kafka, although this was part of the game's storyline, it likely represented events that truly occurred in reality.

Elio must have written a script covering this segment as well... However, with the emergence of Honkai: Star Rail, everything had taken a different course, rendering his original script obsolete.

Now, even Kafka could no longer predict the unfolding narrative.

"You should understand why I'm trying to stop you... If you leave, and if what happens next is indeed true, truly vanishing from your future, it will become an unchangeable past, leaving no chance for regret or reversal."

Yet again, Kafka chose "I won't stay."

"What exactly are you holding onto? The 'right to choose'? Or merely defiance? Don't you realize that even this right to defy is strictly confined within predetermined possibilities?"

"I won't stay."

"Elio said you would help me. I wonder how many possible futures he glimpsed before finding this truth..."

"I won't stay."

Kafka fell silent.

This time, her in-game self remained completely quiet.

"I won't stay."

"If you're wondering 'What else might Kafka say?' and choose accordingly—don't. Every choice has consequences, and we must bear responsibility for each one."

Uttering these words felt incredibly peculiar, as if...they weren't meant to be spoken by me.

Instead, it seemed like the Feathered Spirit was expressing its message through my lips!

But Kafka insisted on witnessing this potential outcome!

"I will not stay."

"Then, let me give you one final warning: I respect your ultimate decision, but know that it is irreversible. If you leave, I'll find a way to save Bladie and depart from Xianzhou, but none of it will involve you..."

"I cannot predict what kind of future awaits... On this matter, our understanding is equally blind, since Elio never revealed even a hint to me. Long ago, Elio made me believe: there's no such thing as true 'free will' in this world; choices merely exhaust all possibilities."

"But if you truly feel entitled to make your own choice...if you persist in doing so, driven genuinely from within, then perhaps I would be overjoyed... I hope you can transcend fate itself. In that case, maybe someday, [you could change me]."

"Have you decided?"

["Leaving"—this is my own choice.]

"All right... Goodbye."

The moment Kafka stepped out of that area, a notification appeared on the interface:

[Quest "Letters from an Unknown Woman" completed.]

[Achievement unlocked: True Free Will]

Kafka's lips parted slightly.

This quest... had truly ended just like that.

Although many plot points were missed, upon seeing this achievement, a hint of joy crossed Kafka's face.

"Feathered Spirit... was this the message you intended to convey?"

"Wonderful. At least now, I know there exist infinite possibilities within this universe."

"Oh, and people usually refer to it as... 'Hope'."