Honkai Impact 3rd: Catching the Herrscher of Sentience at the Start

"Hey, are you the new recruits boarding the Express?" Fu Lin turned, trying to locate the voice, but saw no one.

"Why are you looking around?" The voice came again, and Fu Lin finally noticed a plush rabbit at his feet. Curious, he picked it up to examine it, but as soon as he was about to put it down, the rabbit blinked, startling Fu Lin into throwing it away .

The plush rabbit reappeared by Fu Lin's side and said, "How rude of you."

"Fu Shi, is this one of your pranks?" Fu Lin asked, pointing at the plush rabbit.

"I'm not that bored. This little guy has such expressive features," Fu Shi said, squatting down in fascination to study the angry plush rabbit.

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"It's the conductor of the Astral Express, Pompom." When Welt saw Pompom appear, he stood up and introduced them.

"Welt, where did you find such an ill-mannered newcomer?" Pompom questioned Welt, trotting over with their short legs.

"They're not newcomers, just visitors," Welt explained apologetically.

"Is that so... Pompom thought there were finally new recruits for the Express." Pompom's eyes welled up with tears as they looked at Fu Lin and Fu Shi, deciding not to pursue the matter of being tossed out earlier .

"It can even cry? I'd love to take it apart and see how it's built," Fu Shi remarked, watching the teary-eyed Pompom.

"Though we're not boarding, there is someone outside who might."

Fu Lin scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed by their eagerness for him to stay. If he had more time, he'd actually like to go on a journey with them—at least then, he wouldn't have to worry about Kiana suddenly showing up from nowhere.

"Really?" Pompom's eyes lit up as they eagerly looked at Welt.

Welt nodded. "There is someone, but whether they'll board depends on their choice."

"That's great!" Pompom immediately began hopping around excitedly, wandering through the Express car and glancing toward the door from time to time.

"What exactly is this Pompom? It feels so mysterious. I can't sense a single thought from it. Is it just too pure, or am I unable to read its mind?" Fu Shi said, clearly astonished.

"I don't remember when Pompom first appeared..."

"It's like a little spirit on the Astral Express. Whenever anyone on the Express needs help, it always shows up immediately."

"But don't underestimate it—Pompom can be quite terrifying when angry... Yes, very terrifying." Welt glanced nervously at Pompom, who was now sweeping the floor in the distance.

"What's there to be scared of? It's so small; I could handle it with one hand," Fu Shi said dismissively, arms crossed.

"No, the last person who made fun of it got thrown off the Express, and to this day... I don't know if that was good or bad." Welt sighed as he recalled the Void Archive being tossed off the Express , his concern evident.

"Who was thrown off the Express to make you this worried?" Fu Lin asked curiously, noting Welt's troubled expression.

"...The Void Archive," Welt replied, rubbing his forehead and taking a deep breath.

"Yeah, that's definitely concerning," Fu Lin said, visibly surprised, thinking about the Void Archive's relentless drive to eradicate Honkai.

"Wow!" A sudden shout rang out as Pompom, blown into the air by the Express car door, was caught by Fu Shi, who hugged it tightly and nuzzled it contentedly.

"Stay away from the door, or it'll keep blowing you around," Fu Lin said, taking the opportunity to pat Pompom on the head, clearly enjoying the soft texture.

The next moment, Himeko and the others entered the Express car.

Himeko smiled as she saw everyone getting along. "Looks like you've bonded well with Pompom."

"Ahem, it's got a nice texture," Fu Shi coughed, putting Pompom back on the ground and offering a positive assessment.

"I want to hug Pompom too~" March 7th whined, looking at Pompom with a pout.

"No way!" Pompom ran behind Himeko, glaring at March 7th.

"Pompom seems to really dislike you, March" Fu Shi noted, observing Pompom's expression.

"Impossible! I'm Pompom's favorite; there's no way it hates me!"

"Pompom, come here!" March 7th opened her arms and called out.

"It's because you always dress Pompom in outfits you think are cute, which leaves it feeling helpless," Himeko said, sipping from her cup at the coffee machine.

"March has no self-awareness at all~" Fu Lin said, glancing at March 7th before turning to Stelle, who was walking over. "So, what's your decision? Will you travel with the Express Crew or stay at the Herta Space Station?"

"I've decided to board the Express. I want to understand myself," Star said, her gaze firm.

"Nice resolve. Then I wish you all a pleasant journey," Fu Lin said, patting Stelle on the shoulder. After exchanging a glance with Welt, he prepared to leave the Express.