NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Character Selection! Kafka's Verbal Ability Unveiled
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[Popularity +10, +10, +10...]
In Guinaifen's Live Streaming Room,
the current viewership had surpassed her usual numbers by more than three times!
A significant portion of the audience was watching with tense excitement, engrossed in the unfolding story.
If the game's content truly reflects reality, today would mark witnessing history firsthand.
Meanwhile,
two Stellaron Hunters, Kafka and Silver Wolf, had reached a Monitoring Room within Herta's space.
Silver Wolf, using his technical expertise, had deciphered the location of the Stellaron.
"It has its own independent security system... Seems like the 'Stellaron' isn't just any ordinary item for Herta," remarked Silver Wolf.
"Do you think we can retrieve it?"
"Of course, even the prodigious Herta stands no chance against me in the realm of hacking."
After concluding their conversation,
Kafka stepped forward, holding the golden orb in his hands.
This was the legendary Stellaron!
On another screen, Silver Wolf meticulously operated, projecting an image before Kafka.
He announced, "The carriers are ready."
"You decide."
At that moment,
in front of Guinaifen and all the viewers, two distinct characters dominated the screen:
One male, one female.
Both had silver hair and wore predominantly black coats.
Next to each character appeared a corresponding phrase:
—Activate Carrier [Stelle]
—Activate Carrier [Caelus]
Kafka said, "Elio mentioned this choice would alter many things."
Silver Wolf responded, "Elio also stated that the one making this choice must be you."
This scene left Guinaifen stunned.
What's going on?!
Aren't the Stellaron Hunters here to steal the Stellaron? Why is there suddenly a need to select carriers?!
"Hey guys, I'm completely baffled. What's happening here?"
"Forget about the streamer, even I'm completely baffled!"
"Isn't this Herta's collection chamber? How did it suddenly turn into a birthing room?"
"Is this the true protagonist after all?"
"What are you hesitating for?! Definitely choose Stelle, just look at those long legs!"
Guinaifen licked her lips, comparing the options. She felt that the female protagonist seemed cuter.
With a naive demeanor, Stelle looked like a genuinely honest person at first glance—much like herself.
Instantly, she decided on her chosen vessel.
For convenience, Guinaifen retained the original name—Stelle.
After making her choice, a bundle of data was packaged and sent to Silver Wolf. Nearby, Stelle's body began printing out.
Holding the Stellaron in one hand, Kafka approached Stelle as if tiptoeing. Leaning close to her face, he asked, "How much does she remember?"
"At least she remembers you."
"Ha..."
Kafka wrapped one arm around Stelle's waist while pressing the Stellaron against her chest with his other hand.
"It's time to wake up."
Without any preamble or preparation, he swiftly inserted the Stellaron!
Guinaifen watched, utterly dumbfounded.
Is this how the Stellaron is used?
Just force it in?!
She took a deep breath.
Perhaps feeling too immersed, Guinaifen sensed a tightness in her own chest, as if something had been shoved inside her.
The scene shifted abruptly.
The perspective shifted to a first-person view.
This must be the protagonist—Stelle—immediately after being awakened with the Stellaron insertion.
Simultaneously, three dialogue options appeared on the right side:
["This... is... where?"]
["Kaf...fa?"]
["...Who...are you?"]
Guinaifen decisively chose the second option.
At that moment, Kafka was gazing at the protagonist with a seemingly "gentle" smile. However, due to the prevailing rumors about the treacherous and dangerous nature of the Stellaron Hunters...
Guinaifen couldn't help but perceive a hidden menace beneath Kafka's smile.
Upon hearing this response, Kafka's eyes widened in pleasant surprise.
"Oh, wonderful! You still remember me."
She then glanced back, meeting Silver Wolf's gaze before continuing, "[Listen closely]: Your mind is currently in chaos. You don't know who you are, why you're here, or what you should do next. You feel like I'm familiar, yet you're unsure whether to trust me—"
"But that doesn't matter now. What's important is that I must leave, abandoning you alone in this space station. So from this moment on, you don't need to dwell on the past or doubt yourself anymore."
"Listen carefully: You will face many dangers ahead, escaping terrifying predicaments, but also encounter numerous wonderful experiences. You'll find companions like family and embark on adventures beyond your wildest dreams."
"At the journey's end, all the puzzles troubling you shall be unraveled."
"This is the future Elio foresaw... Do you like it?"
"I do... probably."
"No, I don't..."
"Where are you going...?"
Guinaifen didn't rush to choose. She continuously rubbed her chin with both hands, pouting slightly.
"Hey fam! Is Kafka some kind of riddle master? What does all this mean?"
"Can anyone in the Live Streaming Room explain this?"
A flood of comments immediately appeared.
***
"The 'Listen to me' part was specifically highlighted by the production team; clearly, they're drawing attention to its different color."
"Isn't that stating the obvious?"
"'Listen to me' has a distinct color because it needs to be declared before invoking the function."
"People from the Intelligentsia Guild here too?"
"No need for arguments, I'm right! This is Kafka's Linguistic Power, akin to using psychological suggestion to control people's actions."
"Holy crap! Kafka's that powerful? If I encountered her, wouldn't I instantly become a laughingstock?"
"Don't worry, you'll never meet her in this lifetime. Besides, you're already a clown."