They Call Me Daddy (Honkai Star Rail) - Volume 1 Chapter 5: Different From The Beta

Reality

In Kakaya’s stream, everyone was puzzled by the appearance of the unfamiliar male voice. Though miHoYo had changed initial plots of their other game before, they typically wouldn’t make such changes right at the game’s launch.

The chat was still abuzz with discussions, and the stream’s screen started moving.

Zzzzz!

Lightning flashed across the previously dark screen, and with a few soft groans from the female protagonist, Stelle, the sleepy beauty finally opened her drowsy eyes.

When the audience in the stream saw the person in front of them, they collectively lost their minds!

[OMG! Look at those broad shoulders! That chiseled face! Since when did they add a DILF into this game!?]

[No way! miHoyo actually makes a handsome male character too?]

[Wow, they really changed a lot of things from the beta! They added a secret character! Though it’s sad that they erased the opening kiss scene, since they changed it with us looking at a hunk straight after waking up, I wouldn’t have made a fuss about it.]

[OMG! I found my favorite character! Black hair, purple eyes, handsome face! Those muscular build! WOOOO! Look at his pecs! They’re practically bursting through his shirt!]

Kakaya was now sitting in his chair, stunned. His brain felt like it was overheating. They really changed the plot and introduced a new character not mentioned in the beta? This was too unexpected!

Others who were at the same main quest point also noticed the plot changes. Although some grumbled that it was unreasonable to change the plot and add characters after the open beta, most were excited and eager to continue.

Behind the scenes, a familiar rhythm was quietly spreading with the main plot changes.

— — — — —

Space Station

Stelle opened her golden eyes, looking coldly at the man in front of her.

“Pfft—”

Then she spat out a mouthful of black smoke…

“She’s awake! It really worked!”

March 7th saw the awakening Stelle and quickly stepped forward, squatting in front of her and waving her hand in front of those dazed eyes.

“Uh… where am I? Why do I feel all tingly all over?”

Stelle looked at the pink-haired girl in front of her with a puzzled expression, her eyes somewhat unfocused.

“Uh–this is the Herta Space Station. We are crew members of the Astral Express. As for why you’re feeling all tingly…”

March 7th turned and gave Wende a reproachful look.

Wende turns his head away.

“Anyway, are you okay now? Are you hurt anywhere? Oh, and what’s your name?”

March 7th asked, concerned about the still-confused Stelle.

“Uh… aside from feeling a bit tingly, I’m fine. As for my name… I’m called Stelle.”

Seeing Stelle’s muddled expression, Wende glanced at his own finger. Did he really use too much force and accidentally shock the girl?

“Pa~ Pa~ Pa~ Pa~”

A segment of Pom-Pom’s singing ringtone suddenly rang from March 7th’s waist. Under Stelle’s bewildered gaze, March 7th excitedly answered the call.

“Hello? Can you hear me? Little March, the communications on the space station have been restored. I’m now in the main control cabin with Asta. The enemies here have been cleared. Hurry over!”

“Oh, got it! We’re on our way!”

March 7th nodded and then hung up the phone.

“Alright! Let’s go! Don’t worry, we’ll get you there safely!”

March 7th assured the still-dazed Stelle, patting her chest in reassurance.

At the same time, Dan Heng’s phone received a message.

“March, you go ahead. Asta just messaged me that Arlan from the defense department lost contact nearby. I need to find and bring him back.”

“Hmm, okay. Be careful.”

With that, March 7th led the two newcomers towards the main control cabin.

Stelle, holding a baseball bat she found somewhere, walked with March 7th at the front, while Wende covered the rear.

Watching the chatter between March 7th and Stelle, Wende pondered deeply.

Although the plot had deviated somewhat from what he had seen on the beta, it was still following the original storyline. His presence only delayed the Astral Express crew’s arrival at the space station, but it didn’t change anything substantial.

They encountered a few Voidrangers on the way, but Wende dispatched them easily with electric needles. Feeling Stelle’s intense gaze from the side, Wende suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.

So this is what it feels like to be watched by the protagonist…

“By the way, are you really from the space station? You’re not even wearing the uniform.”

March 7th, noticing Stelle’s confused demeanor, pinched her smooth chin in thought and tilted her head towards the girl curiously rifling through a box.

“I can’t remember…”

Stelle closed her eyes and tried to recall but found her mind blank. She shook her head helplessly, her hands not pausing in their search.

“I see–Wait! Don’t rummage through other people’s boxes! Wende, stop her!”

March 7th watched as Stelle fully immersed herself in the treasure box, looking to Wende for help with a pleading expression.

“Hmm…”

Wende rubbed his chin, pondering over the pile of items Stelle had pulled out. He casually picked up an adventure log and slipped it into his pocket.

“Hey! Put that back!”

March 7th, seeing Wende join in on the rummaging, angrily tapped his head with her bow.

“Uh—ahem, I got carried away…”

Wende coughed awkwardly, trying to justify his actions. For some reason, he noticed Stelle giving him a look of approval from the side.

Finally, after a few minor setbacks, the three of them reunited with Dan Heng and Arlan, the rescued member, and made their way to the main control cabin.

— — — — —

Reality

In Kakaya’s livestream, having just met the Astral Express “trio,” Kakaya was now entering the battle segment of the main storyline.

The chat was still buzzing about the fact that the protagonist had been woken up with electricity.

“Whoa! This handsome guy is a Lightning Type character!”

“He’s too rough! How could he do that to someone as ‘delicate’ as Stelle? Come on! Shock me instead!”

“Found an M”

Glancing at the chat, Kakaya seemed to have an idea. He opened the character menu to check Wende’s Path.

What he saw surprised him. Shouting incredulously, he exclaimed, “Huh? Abundance! He’s a healer!?”

Rubbing his sleep-deprived eyes, Kakaya looked again at the role description on the screen. Sure enough, Wende was indeed labeled as Abundance. Mihoyo had generously given them a healer!

“Whoa! That means we have two healers now? This means even new and free-to-play players can now support two teams!”

Players focused on strength and team composition were overjoyed, celebrating as if it were a holiday.

Of course, some took the news of Wende being a healer to new, more eccentric heights…

“Ahhh! I want to be crushed by Wende’s pec and get healed right after!”

“Agree!!”

“Uh—mods, please mute these people, thank you!”

Kakaya, seeing the chaotic chat, sighed. A bit of excitement was fine, but some of the guys were taking it too far. Time to rein them in!