Honkai Star Rail: I Became the World Tree — Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Assigning Positions in the Star Adventure Group

While the eccentric assembly from Teyvat exchanged idle chatter, a brilliant flash of spatial light fractured the air. The dungeon’s survivors materialized in the center of the square. Stelle, Herta, and Dan Heng stepped out of the fading teleportation array.

Furina immediately perked up, her heels clicking rapidly against the stone as she trotted over to the vanguard.

“Stelle, report! How is the situation within?”

Stelle looked entirely drained of her usual chaotic vitality. She raised a trembling hand, flashing a weak ‘OK’ gesture.

“Done. Furina, that dungeon is a nightmare. You need to prepare a lot more before you even think about opening it again.” She let out a jaw-cracking yawn, her shoulders slumping. “Ah, I am so tired. I need to go back and sleep for a century. Do not call me for dinner.”

Dragging her feet as if gravity had doubled, Stelle shuffled toward the Star Adventure Group station, yawning with every other step. Tired. She was just so incredibly tired. A soft mattress was the only thing keeping her.

Herta stood nearby, her usually pristine puppet joints looking a fraction stiffer than usual.

“Hmm. Today’s physical exertion has vastly exceeded optimal limits. I am returning to rest as well. Herta Legion, fall back to the starship.”

Following the command of the Genius Society member, the scattered members of the Star Adventure Group dispersed into the evening, each seeking their own quarters. Furina, Zhongli, and the remaining Teyvat natives lingered in the Holy City Square for a short while, digesting the day’s events before finally going their separate ways.

The night passed in quiet tranquility.

Sunlight spilled through the tall windows the next morning, illuminating the main hall on the first floor of the station. The Star Adventure Group had gathered in full force.

After a solid night of uninterrupted sleep, Stelle had completely shed her exhaustion, her golden eyes bright with renewed energy. She stood at the head of the long table, sweeping her gaze across the assembled members.

“Alright everyone, today we are going to discuss the matter of official guild positions.” Stelle clapped her hands together. “First up, as the person who has objectively contributed the most to our little enterprise, Herta will serve as the Deputy Leader. Does anyone have any objections?”

Silence filled the hall as everyone shook their heads. Herta’s contribution was an absolute fact. The Star Adventure Group had only managed to unlock the D-rank promotion mission challenge at such a blistering pace because the Herta Legion had spent every waking hour ruthlessly farming monsters to accumulate the necessary EXP.

Seeing the unanimous agreement, Stelle pressed on.

“Next, we have three Elder positions available. Lumine should definitely take one. She needs to return to Teyvat frequently to travel and search for her brother. Having the authority to open a teleportation gate at will is going to make her life a lot easier.” Stelle leaned against the table. “As for the remaining two slots, they are up for election. Now is your time to speak up.”

The Belobog trio remained silent. Bronya, Seele, and Natasha already shared a Deputy Leader position among their faction, which provided more than enough administrative power.

Screwllum adjusted his monocle, his mechanical voice smooth and measured.

“I believe these two spots can be temporarily reserved. Currently, the Genius Society, the Nameless, and the Belobog faction each possess at least one individual capable of opening a teleportation gate. Therefore, these remaining vacancies can be left open for now, to be used by other factions that may join our ranks in the future.”

Since the Elder position only granted the specific authority to open teleportation gates and offered no other substantive stat boosts or rewards, Screwllum’s logical proposal was met with immediate nods of agreement.

With that settled, the brief administrative meeting came to a close.

Herta, Screwllum, and Ruan Mei immediately commandeered the Herta Legion, marching off to capture new biological specimens for their research. Bronya, Seele, and Natasha stepped through a portal back to Belobog to handle the endless political affairs of the Underworld and Overworld.

Stelle and March 7th began packing their bags, preparing to investigate the designated mining zones deep within the Elven Forest.

Noticing their preparations, Himeko offered a warm, maternal smile.

“Stelle, Little March, do not stay out too late today. At three o’clock this afternoon, we are departing for our next stop.”

Stelle and March 7th nodded in unison. The Astral Express had been docked at Belobog for quite a few days. Now that the Stellaron crisis was fully resolved, it was finally time to warp to Penacony for the Charmony Festival.

Bags packed, the duo stepped out of the station and made their way toward the Holy City Square.

As soon as Stelle reached the entrance of the General Store, she spotted a familiar floating figure. Paimon was slumped in her exclusive rocking chair, clutching a crinkling bag of snacks labeled ‘Missing Teeth’. Tears streamed down the little guide’s face, making her look entirely wronged by the universe.

Stelle wandered over, tilting her head.

“Paimon, what is wrong? Did someone steal your mora?”

Paimon shook her head violently, her face flushed red.

“Hiss… ha… hiss… ha… this snack is just so spicy!”

Stelle stared blankly at the crying fairy.

“If it is causing you physical pain, why are you still eating it?”

Paimon shoved another red-dusted crisp into her mouth, huffing and puffing through the burn.

“Can not… hiss… waste… hiss… food!”

Stelle crossed her arms, a look of genuine respect crossing her features.

“I have to say, Paimon, your dedication to gluttony is truly inspiring.”

March 7th grimaced, watching the fairy suffer.

“Exactly. If it were me, I would have tossed that bag into the nearest trash can after one bite. I absolutely hate things that are too spicy. Drink some water, Paimon. I am seriously worried you are going to die of spiciness right here on the porch.”

Taking the advice to heart, Paimon grabbed a massive cup of iced cola. She used her entire tiny body weight to twist the cap open.

“Heave-ho! Gulp, gulp… Ah! That feels so much better. The fire is gone.”

Just as Paimon recovered her breath, Hu Tao and Lumine approached from the main street. They were both dragging heavy canvas sacks filled to the brim with the mining tools Hu Tao had procured.

Reaching the storefront, the two girls dropped the massive sacks onto the cobblestones. Pickaxes, shovels, and ropes spilled out in a chaotic metallic clatter.

“Look at this haul!” Hu Tao cheered, dusting off her hands. “I brought the tools. These are all brand new and ready to strike gold!”

Stelle immediately squatted down, rummaging through the pile until she found a sturdy iron pickaxe. She hoisted it onto her shoulder like a baseball bat.

“Let’s go, let’s go. Time to mine.”

Lumine grabbed her own set of tools and glanced over at the rocking chair.

“Paimon, are you coming with us?”

Paimon took another massive gulp of iced cola, letting out a highly unladylike burp.

“Lumine, you guys go ahead. I want to browse the General Store a bit more. I just finished those spicy chips, and there are still so many flavors on the shelves I have not tried yet.”

Lumine rolled her eyes, sighing at her companion’s endless appetite.

“Fine, fine. Go ahead and eat yourself silly. I am off to do hard labor.”

Paimon wiped her red-oil-stained mouth with her sleeve and waved cheerfully.

“Go on, have fun! Remember to pick a few sweet berries for me on your way back!”

Lumine shot her a flat glare.

“No. If you want berries, come to the forest and pick them yourself.”

Sensing the rejection, Paimon immediately deployed her ultimate weapon, floating closer and acting incredibly spoiled.

“Lumine, please? Just pick a few for me since you will be right there anyway. Please? Pretty please with sugar on top?”

Lumine stared at the pleading fairy for a long moment before her resolve crumbled.

“Alright, alright. I will look for some.”

Hearing the concession, Paimon’s face lit up with a massive, victorious grin. She happily watched Stelle, Hu Tao, Lumine, and March 7th depart toward the city gates.

Once they were out of sight, Paimon clapped her tiny hands together, floated back into the General Store, pulled a single copper coin from her pocket, and resumed her shopping spree.

“This General Store is truly a paradise. So many delicious snacks, and everything is so cheap!”

Deep within the northern region of the Elven Forest.

Stelle, Hu Tao, March 7th, and Lumine were currently trudging through the dense undergrowth, trying to locate the specific mining vein marked on the map Bradley had provided.

March 7th held the parchment up to the sunlight, her face scrunched in total confusion.

“This is so annoying! Where on earth is this stupid mine? We have been walking for hours and everything just looks like more trees.”

Hu Tao spread her hands helplessly, dodging a low-hanging vine.

“There is nothing we can do about it. The trees in this Elven Forest are ridiculously huge, and the bushes along the path are growing like crazy. It is nearly impossible to find a clear trail.”

Taking the lead, Stelle brandished a standard iron longsword, hacking away at the thickets blocking their path with wide, sweeping strikes.

“If I had known it was going to be this dense, I would have hired someone from the Elf Clan to lead the way. This place is a total mess. Luckily, Samuel’s main body is so massive that we can see the World Tree from anywhere just by looking up. Otherwise, I am pretty sure we would never find our way back to the city.”

As Stelle chopped down another wall of thorns, Lumine stepped forward to follow.

Her boot found nothing but empty air.

Gravity took over instantly. Lumine plummeted downward, vanishing into a concealed hole in the forest floor.

“Oh my goodness!”

At the sound of Lumine’s startled shriek, Stelle, March 7th, and Hu Tao all whipped around, staring at the gaping pit that had just swallowed the traveler.

“Lumine?” Stelle called out, rushing to the edge. “What happened? Are you okay down there?”