Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

Topaz straightened, the flicker of vulnerability from moments ago now extinguished, and fixed them with a steady gaze.

"So then, you two," she began, her voice calm, "after hearing my story, have you given it some thought? Which side do you intend to take?"

Her tone, though seemingly indifferent, held an undercurrent of unwavering resolve. "As I said before, for both my sake and Belobog's, it truly is best if you don't interfere."

March 7th blinked, her eyes still shimmering with unshed tears. She turned to Daziel, her voice laced with confusion and worry. "Daziel, what do we do now? I really want to help Miss Bronya, but I also don't want to cause trouble for Miss Topaz…"

"I honestly don't know either." Daziel spread his hands, a note of genuine helplessness in his voice. "The world rarely offers perfect, win-win answers, does it?"

The confident gleam that usually sparkled in his eyes had dimmed, replaced by a flicker of bewilderment.

"But Miss Topaz is right about one thing," he continued, his brow furrowed. "Rushing in headfirst might just make everything worse. Little March, just… let me think for a moment."

"Okay…" March 7th nodded obediently, stepping back to give Daziel space to consider.

Daziel crossed his arms, his brow now deeply etched with thought.

Just moments before, Daziel had been utterly convinced that he possessed the ultimate understanding of the Star Rail narrative…

Not even Elio could compare. The idea of Mr. Reke's assistant director – that pompous frog – challenging Daziel was laughable. It was as ridiculous as Blade claiming he wanted to successfully commit suicide, or Welt attempting to control the Herrscher of the Void with a simulated black hole!

As long as he adhered to the original script, everything would fall into place –

Or so Daziel had firmly believed just a few short hours ago.

Now, however, everything felt like it was veering off course in some bizarre, unpredictable direction, ever since that system had appeared…

Right, the system…?!

Doubt gnawed at him, a growing knot in his stomach. He needed answers. Was this system truly the catalyst for this dramatic deviation from his carefully planned Star Rail journey?

"Hey! System, come on, speak up." Daziel mentally commanded, frustration coloring his thoughts. "You must have picked up on my inner turmoil, right? Aren't you going to offer some kind of explanation?"

The semi-transparent panel flickered back into existence before him, but this time, it simply displayed a string of ellipses.

[...]

After a beat of silence, the system finally delivered its terse response.

[I am merely a system. All my actions are, in fact, reflections of the host's deepest thoughts. Even if the world line has shifted, it may stem from the host's own underlying motivations.]

[You ask me about the causes of these changes? I apologize, but I cannot answer this question.]

[Because, I have no insight into your thoughts…]

"Bullshit!" Daziel hissed between gritted teeth, anger flaring at the system's dismissive explanation. "I've been sticking to the original storyline like glue! How could this mess possibly be my 'inner thoughts'?"

Sure, he played Star Rail for the captivating female characters and occasionally indulged in browsing doujinshi, but the idea of turning the Star Rail universe into some kind of harem hadn't even crossed his mind…

At least, not since he'd transmigrated into this reality!

[Regrettably, I am just a system; I cannot address your query. However, I can offer a potential solution to your current predicament.]

"What do you mean? What kind of solution could you possibly conjure up?" Daziel questioned, skepticism thick in his voice.

[Please wait, system initiating scan!]

[Scan complete!]

[New target acquired: Topaz]

[Corruption Value: 0%]

[New task: Increase Topaz's Corruption Value to 50%]

[Task Reward: A substantial sum of money]

[Substantial Sum of Money: This reward will be directly deposited into your Interstellar Peace Bank account and is exclusively designated for repaying Belobog's debt.]

...

"What kind of ludicrous task is this? And the reward is just to help others pay off debts? Does this thing take me for some kind of pushover, willing to sacrifice my principles for… this?"

Seeing the bizarre task materialize on the panel, Daziel's immediate reaction was a resounding 'absolutely not.' He refused to be puppeted around by this ridiculous harem system!

Even if corrupting her might not be a personal loss, the very notion felt wrong, like he would be actively harming an innocent woman…

Furthermore, the system's vague term "corruption" hinted at something far beyond simple moral compromise…

It suggested something deeper, something that warped desires and emotions in a fundamental way.

How could Daziel possibly agree to that?

[Whether the host accepts or declines is entirely within your purview. This, however, remains the sole solution I am capable of providing.]

[I am unable to assist with your cognitive processes; as I am merely a system.]

With that final, frustrating message, the semi-transparent panel vanished once more.

Sigh…

This damn system was truly unreliable!

Daziel expelled a helpless breath.

"Daziel? What's wrong?" March 7th asked, her voice laced with concern. "You look pale, you've been cycling through expressions every few seconds, and you've sighed like… well, like a lot." She reached out a hand to touch his forehead.

Daziel instinctively dodged her touch, forcing a strained smile. "It's nothing, Little March, I'm just… still wrestling with this whole situation."

Truthfully, Daziel already carried a heavy weight of guilt about March 7th's steadily rising Corruption Value.

He felt a pang of responsibility for inadvertently harming sweet little March, and he was determined not to let her Corruption Value climb any higher.

Now, with Topaz added to the system's task list, he was even more resolved to avoid repeating his past mistakes!

Thinking of this, Daziel glanced back at Topaz.

She stood quietly, her gaze steady yet holding a subtle trace of weariness, as if patiently awaiting their decision.

As if sensing Daziel's gaze, Topaz spoke, "Since you two are still undecided, then please, try not to hinder my work."

Her voice remained even, but now carried a distinct edge of undeniable authority.

She pulled out her datapad, glanced at the screen, and continued, "I still have a considerable amount to attend to. I'll take my leave."

With that, she turned and began to walk away in the opposite direction.

Topaz's capable figure was undeniably striking. The subtle sway of her hips, coupled with the glimpses of those pale, elegant thighs, made it difficult not to watch her go…

But in this moment, a strange feeling washed over Daziel.

Topaz's retreating back, somehow, projected an air of loneliness and quiet desolation…

Watching the direction Topaz had taken, Daziel bit his lip, then called out, "Please wait… Miss Topaz!"

"Yes? Is there something else, you two?" Topaz turned back, her blue eyes registering a flicker of confusion.

Daziel quickly gathered his thoughts, explaining, "Um, I… could March 7th and I perhaps accompany you for a while, to observe your work? Maybe it will spark some new ideas for us…"

"We promise not to intrude," he hastened to add, "and perhaps we could even be of some assistance. After all, we should be a little more familiar with Belobog than you are."

Daziel knew hesitation was no longer an option.

He had to act.

Even if he chose to ignore the system's ludicrous task, he couldn't simply stand by and do nothing.

Both the Corporation and Belobog were integral to the unfolding narrative. Neither side could afford to crumble; otherwise, the deviations in the world line would only escalate.

Already, these minor shifts had pushed the conflict between these two crucial forces precariously close to the point of no return.

If he allowed the butterfly effect of fate to continue unchecked, who knew what catastrophic storm it would unleash upon the galaxy…

Daziel resolved to forge his own path forward, relying on his own judgment and initiative to find a way out of this mess!

Topaz listened to Daziel's rapid explanation, met his gaze with a long, assessing look, and then, a subtle curve touched the corner of her lips. "Very well," she conceded. "Suit yourselves. But be warned, if you step out of line in any way, I cannot guarantee my reaction."

___

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