Becoming a Star In Honkai: Star Rail!

When Michael and company got off the elevator, Himeko was waiting for them at the door with a subtle trace of concern on her face.

When she saw them safe and sound, however, she let out a sigh of relief.

Michael observed her briefly. Just as he remembered from the game, Himeko was a mature woman with long red hair and an elegant bearing, her dress could not hide her beautiful curves, but that did not make her look indecent, but rather noble.

Himeko: "You took longer than I expected, did something happen?"

Himeko asked. Apparently, perhaps due to the change that Michael's presence caused, Himeko had not sent one of her drones to find March and Dan Heng, which left her unaware of the two's condition.

March 7th: "We're fine, just a few setbacks back there with the Antimatter Legion."

Dan Heng: "We met Arlan on the way, and this is Stelle and Michael."

Dan Heng briefly introduced them, drawing Himeko's gaze to the two who were obviously not researchers from the Space Station.

Before introducing herself, however, she spoke to Arlan who was next to the group.

Himeko: "Are you okay, Arlan? Asta was worried about you."

Arlan: "I'm fine, thanks to Mr. Michael."

"I already told you that you can stop calling me Mr..."

Michael intervened, sighing lightly. Arlan turned to him with a grateful smile on his lips.

Arlan: "Okay then, Michael. The debt I owe you will not be forgotten, if there is anything I can do for you, just let me know."

"You don't really have to do anything... In true, forget what I said. I just remembered that there really was something I needed help with."

Arlan: "What is it? As long as it's within my reach, I'll do everything I can to help."

"You know about Stellar Jades, don't you?"

Arlan: "Uh... Those pretty, shiny stones? I know some people collect them, but they don't seem to have any value other than their shine."

Arlan's words made Michael's eyes widen slightly in surprise.

After asking Arlan for more details, Michael discovered that to most people, Stellar Jades were nothing more than shiny stones valued for their beauty.

Apparently, some people bought them for aesthetic reasons, but they were nothing special. This made it much easier for Michael to place his request.

"Can you help me collect as many Stellar Jades as possible? I have a use for them."

Arlan: "Why would you need to- no, never mind, I won't delve into your reasons or it would be disrespectful."

Arlan shook his head, scratching his chin lightly in thought before answering Michael.

Arlan: "I don't collect these stones myself, but there should be some in the ship's storage. I'll ask Miss Asta for permission and see if I can give you some, but I might not be able to acquire it before the Antimatter Legion's problem is resolved."

"It's okay, I'm not in that hurry."

Arlan: "Very well then, I will take my leave now, I need to report to Miss Asta and return to my duties as Chief of Security."

"I won't get in your way then, good luck."

Michael waved goodbye to Arlan and only then realized that he had left Himeko waiting aside while he talked to Arlan.

"I'm sorry for the wait."

Himeko: "No problem. I'm Himeko, the navigator of the Astral Express, it's a pleasure to meet you two."

March 7th: "Basically, she's the one who decides where the Express goes at the end of the day."

March, at the side, added as Stelle nodded silently.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too."

Himeko: "March didn't cause much trouble for you two back there, did she?"

"No way! If it weren't for her and Dan Heng, I'm afraid I would have already gone to meet Jesus Christ in person, I will be grateful for their help forever."

March 7th: "W-well... No need to be so serious about it, helping others is just the natural thing to do."

March looked a little embarrassed, but happy, with Michael's words. Meanwhile, Stelle only revealed a subtle expression and chose to remain silent...

Himeko: "Jesus? Well... Let's put the conversation aside for now, Asta wants to see you guys, she was really worried."

Himeko soon guided them deeper into the Main Control Zone. Along the way, some things seemed familiar to Michael, while others were completely unfamiliar.

Unlike in the game, there were at least hundreds of people milling around the Control Zone, all of them looking hurried, busy, and completely hopeless.

This probably wasn't the only Zone where the researchers had gathered, after all, there were other places on the Space Station that needed constant observation, and if they gathered everyone on the ship, the Main Control Zone probably wouldn't be enough to fit them all.

In a few more steps, the group of five people completely displaced from the surrounding researchers finally reached the checkpoint Asta was at.

Just as Michael remembered, Asta was a slender woman with pink hair, fair skin, and light blue eyes. She wore a white collared shirt with sleeves, a black bowtie, and a black skirt, and around her waist was a white and pink jacket with several buckled belts of varying colors.

Her normally energetic and cheerful atmosphere was lacking, but her tense expression softened as she saw the Astral Express group approaching.

March 7th: "Asta, we're back!"

March hurried to greet her excitedly, making Asta smile slightly.

Asta: "I'm glad you guys got back safely, Arlan just told me about the situation in the Storage Zone. Thank you for all the help you've given so far, by the way, Michael, Arlan has already given me the details about your request and I've approved it, but it may take a while."

"It's fine, I already owe Miss Asta a lot anyway, so even if you refused I wouldn't be able to regret it..."

Asta: "No way! Compared to the help you gave to Arlan, what I did is nothing special."

Asta shook his head, sighing lightly in sadness.

Asta: "In times like these, I realize more and more how important the lives of our researchers are. Unfortunately, we were not prepared for such an emergency... We should have done a better job in our security and combat departments."

Dan Heng: "What is the current status of the Space Station?"

Asta: "It is under control for now. The damage to our security system was minor, the attacker managed to alter only a small part of the data that we have already been able to correct."

Asta tried to explain the situation in an optimistic manner, but her dejected expression betrayed her.

Asta: "Sigh... The real problem is the researchers... They trust Madam Herta completely and never imagined that the Space Station could be invaded by the Antimatter Legion. Our morale has never been worse, and if it weren't for the common sense that the Legion doesn't even spare the ants on the ground, I fear there would already be some deserters among our team."

Asta's words briefly caught Michael's attention. People were most vulnerable to outside influences in desperate times like these… An idea began to form in his mind, this could be an opportunity to complete his third system mission.

Himeko: "We'll talk to the researchers. However, the Space Station can't afford any more upheaval, especially from the inside. Have you tried contacting Herta?"

Asta: "Countless times, but no response. You know how she is, Himeko, the Space Station is nothing more than a warehouse for her followers and items. She doesn't give a fuck."

Himeko: "Sigh... I knew it, but it doesn't matter. I'll send a message to Herta and tell her we brought the rare item she wanted, that should at least get her attention."

Asta: "This will be of great help. For now, I will leave the matter of the researchers in your hands. If you need help with anything, just come to me."

Asta dismissed them, waving at the Astral Express group. Dan Heng, March 7th, and Stelle soon left, leaving only Michael, Asta, and Himeko, who stared at him curiously.

Asta: "Is there anything you want to say in private, Michael?"

"It's not exactly a secret or anything confidential. It's actually about the researchers, I'd like to help as well, but I need an access card and Miss Asta's permission to access the security room and use the Main Control Zone's speakers."

Asta: "The speakers...? What do you need to use them for?"

Asta asked with a perplexed expression, and Michael replied while scratching the back of his neck.

"Well, you remember that I'm a street performer, don't you? I happen to be quite good at singing... In these dark times, music can resonate with people's hearts better, so I was thinking that transmitting my voice to the researchers might help ease their nerves."

Asta: "This is a rather... curious idea. I'm not sure if it will work, these researchers are quite rigid and are usually always stuck in their research and data, without caring about things like entertainment, but it might be a good try."

Asta nodded thoughtfully, removing the access card from around her neck and handing it to Michael.

Asta: "Here it is, this is my personal access card, it gives you free access to anywhere on the Space Station, except Madame Herta's personal room, if the security staff gives you a hard time, just show them this card."

"Thank you very much, this will be very helpful."

Asta: "I should be the one thanking you, you all are so willing to help even though you are not part of the Space Station... I cannot express my gratitude enough with words alone."

Asta smiled faintly, Michael and the Astral Express crew's disposition seemed to have lifted her spirit after so long. At that moment, Himeko, who was listening at the side intervened, suggesting.

Himeko: "I know the layout of the Space Station well, let me take you to the security room. Arlan must be very busy right now and it's best not to waste his time with trivial things."

"Then allow me to thank you before, Miss Himeko."

Himeko: "Just Himeko will do, come on, come with me."

Michael nodded to Asta, following Himeko's elegant steps towards the security room.

His second "performance" was about to begin.

What song should he sing this time...?