Chapter Seventy-Three: Classic Setting of the Sequel
Hinata Mana.
As the central female protagonist in the cover of the game “Hoshi no Hibiki 2,” the sequel to “Hoshi no Hibiki.”
In terms of character design, aside from being a childhood friend with white hair and red eyes, she also has a very classic trait—
The ability reflecting the most distinctive characteristics of the final boss from the previous installment.
In the original “Hoshi no Hibiki 2,” Hinata Mana serves as the vessel for the “resurrection” of the end, possessing abilities similar to the “Star Eye,” and in some aspects, even more powerful—
“Fictional Royalty.”
Compared to the “Star Eye,” Hinata Mana’s “Fictional Royalty” can replicate and simultaneously use multiple abilities, while even the Star Eye requires “switching.”
However, in terms of design, the principles of the “Star Eye” and “Fictional Royalty” are completely different.
But in terms of gameplay, the two are extremely similar.
Thus, in the game, players who enter Hinata Mana’s personal route can control Mana, unleashing the abilities of the previous final boss with ease.
The game difficulty drops significantly.
Therefore, Hinata Mana’s personal route is not only the one with the highest completion rate among female protagonist routes, but also the friendliest route for new players of the Hoshi no Hibiki series, bar none.
As long as you successfully enter Hinata Mana’s route, it’s basically equivalent to clearing the first playthrough, certainly limited to playing as the male protagonist, Tsukimi Kanade.
Consequently, Hinata Mana’s route is viewed in players’ minds as a sign of the game designers’ mercy towards the players for their insane efforts.
In the original storyline of “Hoshi no Hibiki 2,” Hinata Mana is transformed into a “half-human, half-fantasy monster” by the Star Council’s technology.
Crafted as the “supreme masterpiece,” her father, during her upbringing, developed paternal feelings for her and decided to defy the organization’s orders.
When he left Hinata Mana, he sealed her within and hid her in Kawano City, where the Star Council dared not tread.
Hinata Mana would grow up healthily as an ordinary person under the barrier of the false god, Hakurei.
There are three methods to enter Hinata Mana’s route in the game.
The first method is simply to normally choose and advance Hinata Mana’s route; as long as there are no weird moves, you will surely enter her line.
The second method is to defeat the false god Hakurei without entering any female protagonist’s route.
As the barrier enveloping Kawano City breaks, the Star Council finally has a chance to reclaim the “Artificial Divine Spirit Project” hidden in the Kawano City branch.
The Star Council will then discover Hinata Mana’s existence and initiate a capture operation against her.
At this point, an option will appear before the protagonist.
Decide whether to help Hinata Mana.
As long as you choose to help, the game will ignore factors like favorability and directly enter Hinata Mana’s route.
It feels like a hint from the game development team.
Compared to a personal route without any female protagonists, the difficulty of Hinata Mana’s route is reduced by more than a little.
The last method is the simplest and most brutal.
It’s the favorite of all speedrunners and unorthodox players.
Of course, it is also the final act of kindness from the developers—
As long as Hinata Mana “dies,” the seal on her will lift.
Regardless of story progression, whether the game is just starting or the player has already entered other female protagonists’ routes, an option will pop up asking the player if they wish to enter Hinata Mana’s route.
Hinata Mana is the only female protagonist who can be “inserted” into other lines.
This is likely also a way for the game developers to showcase the “worldview” and “background story” to the players.
After all, as the “easy mode” route, Hinata Mana’s line greatly displays the entire setting of the Hoshi no Hibiki worldview and its background story.
It is the route most closely related to the previous story.
…
…
“Crack.”
The suited man grasped the shadow spike that pierced through his body. With a gentle squeeze, as if it were fragile glass, the sharp shadows instantly shattered into countless tiny fragments.
The shadows did not fall to the ground as usual.
Instead, they defied gravity and ascended towards the crimson stars in the sky, ultimately absorbed by them.
As if the power returned to its origin.
“Supreme masterpiece… what a magnificent surprise.”
The suited man’s laughter was filled with a bizarre madness, and his shoulders trembled uncontrollably, unable to contain his inner ecstasy.
His face, hidden in the shadows, revealed a sinister smile like a new moon.
“To think I found you at such a perfect moment…”
Crimson starlight enveloped the suited man.
The glaring light restored his injured body to its original state.
The wound caused by Mana’s blow miraculously healed at an unbelievable speed, as if it had never existed.
Witnessing this supernatural phenomenon, Mana’s brow furrowed slightly.
“In the presence of my master, you cannot defeat me!” The laughter of the suited man grew even more deranged, as the crimson brilliance illuminated his increasingly warped and grotesque body.
Mana felt an unprecedented sense of oppression and involuntarily took a step back.
Just as her thoughts began to spiral into chaos—
A voice from behind pulled her back from the brink of confusion.
“Little Mana, can you hold him off for a bit?”
Kanade’s voice was oddly calm.
Having faced the false god Hakurei last year, Kanade was unexpectedly composed, even beyond his own expectations.
He bent down to lift the unconscious Yukino, casting his gaze towards the fallen Ryou.
If a fight broke out here, Yukino and Ryou were likely to be caught in the crossfire.
—I must move them to a safer place first…
At that moment, a blue arrow flew out from behind the two, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, directly aimed at the suited man.
Just as the arrow was about to hit its mark, the suited man lightly waved his hand, and a shadow blade appeared, blocking the surprise attack.
Kanade immediately turned around, and Mana tilted her head slightly, using her peripheral vision to glance behind.
Standing there was a woman in a smart OL uniform, holding a blue longbow. Her shoulder-length deep green hair fluttered gently in the wind, making her particularly striking.
Wasn’t she the SEMA operative they had just encountered!?
Kanade felt a surge of joy.
Though he didn’t know the true identity of the person, since she was from SEMA, she should at least be on their side.
But at the same time, a vague image flashed through Kanade’s mind.
It was a girl with black hair.
When he encountered this SEMA woman, there had clearly been another person by his side…
That unforgettable person, whom he could never forget.
Kanade instinctively reached for his pocket.
Feeling a cold bracelet.
At the moment he touched the bracelet—
“Little… Nagi…?” he uttered a name that was both familiar and unfamiliar.
“Tsukimi-kun, now’s your chance—” Mana’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
Almost simultaneously.
In the back, Arisa also understood the plans of the young man and woman before her.
Mana’s figure transformed into an afterimage, instantly darting to the back of the suited man—
The power of the “Hakurei Miko.”
Arisa hurried forward and, along with Kanade, picked up the unconscious duo on the ground.
In the moment Mana swung her arm, a sharp wind blade erupted from her fingertip.
The air was filled with a piercing whoosh.
The wind blade sliced through like cutting tofu, aimed straight at the back of the suited man’s head—
The same battle also unfolded in Kawano City.
