Honkai: Star Rail, My Journey with Tom - Chapter 3
Li Ye sat deep in thought.
Everything that had just happened felt like a dream.
“But somehow, I actually survived that? Does this mean I can’t die when I’m around Tom? Or… am I turning into some kind of slapstick cartoon character?”
Both theories seemed plausible, but he wasn’t about to test them by dying again.
The memory of suffocating in the void still made his skin crawl. Li Ye didn’t want to find out firsthand how terrifying other ways of dying might be.
Still, it didn’t matter.
The galaxy was full of danger, and with his current pitiful combat skills, he was basically dancing on the edge of life and death. There would be plenty of opportunities to figure out what was really going on.
More than that…
A bold idea crossed his mind.
If either theory was true, that meant he could afford to take more risks—maybe even have a little fun with it.
With that thought, Li Ye got up from the ground, standing taller than before.
Not far away, Tom—who had been busy cleaning—saw him awake and immediately scurried over.
The plump, round cat waddled toward him like an overgrown penguin, flashing an awkward, toothy grin, clearly feeling guilty about what had happened earlier.
Then, Tom extended its white paw, revealing a tiny firecracker.
[Tuffy’s Firecracker: Trust me, this thing packs a punch.]
Li Ye took the firecracker and tucked it away.
Reaching out, he patted Tom on the head.
“Tom, I’m not mad. But you have to be more careful next time, okay? This thing wasn’t lit, so it wouldn’t explode, don’t worry.”
He paused for a moment, then added, “And remember, we’re not on solid ground. We’re in space. So let’s try not to blow ourselves up.”
Tom nodded so fast he looked like a bobblehead.
Then something crossed Li Ye’s mind, and he spoke again.
“Oh yeah, Tom, lend me your rapier for a sec.”
At his request, Tom reached behind its back—where nothing had been a second ago—and pulled out a gleaming rapier, handing it over.
Li Ye inspected the weapon, but… nothing happened. No stats and description popped up.
His excitement deflated slightly.
Earlier, when he had received two items from the “Tom and Jerry” universe, one of them had been [Tom’s Rapier], which had a special effect. Li Ye had hoped that maybe he could get similar items just by borrowing them from Tom, equipping himself along the way.
But apparently, that wasn’t how it worked.
Only items drawn from the selection process counted as actual gear. Anything he borrowed from Tom was just… ordinary junk.
At least he had a lead on how to get some Star Rail Passes and Star Rail Special Passes now.
[Star Rail Pass (Special Pass): Keep exploring the galaxy, leave enough footprints behind, and one day, you’ll find it.]
“Either way, I don’t really have a choice. I have to make a Warp Jump.”
Li Ye walked to the train doors, Tom following close behind with his tiny, quick steps.
As he stared at the vast, glittering expanse of space, he reached into his inventory, pulling out Tom’s Rapier with a flourish.
Raising the sword, Li Ye called out dramatically, “Tom, onward! Let’s carve our path through the starward!”
Warp Jump, engage!
A faint glow pulsed around them.
A list of possible destinations flashed through Li Ye’s mind—but only one was fully visible: Herta Space Station. The others were shrouded in darkness, just faint silhouettes.
“No other options, huh?”
“Guess we’re going to Herta.”
As soon as he made his choice, the Astral Express, which had been slowly drifting through the galaxy, suddenly accelerated as if responding to his will.
Soft blue light shimmered across the train’s body, growing brighter and brighter until it completely engulfed the vehicle.
In the next instant, the Astral Express vanished from sight.
A girl stood at the station’s edge, waiting patiently.
Her shoulder-length brown hair was tied into a playful side ponytail, framing delicate, striking features. She had a natural, mischievous air about her, but her gaze was steady and composed.
She wore a short white-and-purple dress that accentuated her petite frame, with a white lab coat draped over her shoulders—a clear sign of her status as a researcher.
A badge hung from her chest, identifying her as the Lead Researcher – Asta.
Pressing her lips together slightly, she spoke in a calm, soft voice.
“Arlan, how much longer until the Astral Express arrives?”
The question was directed at a young boy standing beside her, who was white-haired, dark-skinned, and slightly shorter than average.
“Miss, it’ll still be a little while,” Arlan replied. “You don’t have to wait here. Once they arrive, I’ll escort them to you.”
Asta frowned slightly.
“Arlan, don’t call me ‘Miss.’ It’s ‘Lead Researcher Asta’ to you.”
Shaking her head, Asta added, “And no, that won’t do. The Astral Express is one of Lady Herta’s key partners. We can’t afford to be negligent in receiving them.”
Just then, Arlan’s communicator buzzed. He glanced at the incoming message, his brows furrowing.
“Wait… what? The Astral Express is already nearby?”
He scowled. “That’s way ahead of the schedule you guys gave me.”
After a brief pause, he sighed and relented. “Fine, whatever. I won’t press you on this mistake, but let’s get them docked immediately.”
Hanging up, Arlan turned to Asta.
“Lead Researcher Asta, change of plans. The Astral Express is about to enter—”
Before he could finish, a deep, low hum resonated through the station.
“Bzzzzzz——”
The Astral Express had arrived.
The massive train glided forward, slowing as it reached the far end of the platform before coming to a full stop.
Asta and Arlan immediately stepped forward to greet their guests, just as the train doors slid open with a sharp whoosh—
And inside out leaped a three-foot-tall, blue-and-white cat.
It landed with an agile bounce, staring up at Asta and Arlan. Then, after a moment of rummaging behind its back, it triumphantly pulled out a tiny purple wildflower.
Grinning wide, baring its pearly white teeth, the cat extended the flower toward Asta in an enthusiastic offering.