Kiana and the Captain's Bizarre Adventure

[Kiana (Honkai Impact 3): Oh no, oh no! I was so busy chatting with you guys that I forgot about the quiz! What am I going to do now?]

[Ding! Einstein (Hyperion) has answered first.]

[Black Tower (Hyperion & Star Railroad): Tsk, we got beaten to it.]

[March 7th (Hyperion): Huh? You already know the answer?]

[Dr. Truth (Starship Railway): Isn't this simple? I think the video and Wendy and the others explained it very clearly before. If you can't even see it, I guess I need to reassess your intelligence.]

[March 7 (Hyperion): Huh? This can't be serious. And can someone come and explain what exactly happened?]

[Tesla (Hyperion): While you were all chatting happily, Chicken Head and I briefly went over the video, the question, and your previous discussions. In short, at the end of the video, a whistle suddenly sounded, and someone was talking, presumably about collecting data. Combined with what Wendy in the group said about the deity Zhang of Sumeru having the power to control dreams, and this happening in Sumeru, it's more plausible that the person in the video is currently in someone's dream and is constantly looping, rather than a time loop. Therefore…]

[Einstein (Hyperion): Just as Dr. Tesla deduced, the dream in option A is more reasonable and fits the situation than a time loop; therefore, the answer to this question is A.]

[System: Are you sure this is the answer?]

[Einstein (Hyperion): Confirmed.]

[System: Congratulations on your correct answer! As for the reward, you can choose to claim it now, or accumulate it and wait to receive a better reward. If you choose the latter, the reward will be distributed after this video review ends. What's your choice?]

After weighing the pros and cons, Einstein ultimately chose to accumulate rewards. After all, as she had said before, even if alien civilizations were to invade now, humanity would still have the resources to fight against them. Relying solely on this reward would not make much of a difference, so it was better to accumulate and obtain greater benefits.

Besides, who can say for sure whether those extraterrestrial civilizations are in this group chat?

[Einstein (Hyperion): I choose cumulative rewards.]

[System: Okay, the bans on those whose videos are still being banned will now be lifted.]

[Paimon (Genshin Impact): Ugh, I was so suffocated.]

[Luminous (Genshin Impact): It's not like we actually covered your mouth so you couldn't breathe, so there's no such thing as suffocating.]

[Paimon (Genshin Impact): Ugh~ Can't you just stop undermining me?]

In the video, Dina Zede led the two of them to browse through various stalls. However, Dina Zede's listless appearance and the familiar scenes filled Ying with doubt.

This sense of déjà vu reached its peak when she picked out the sunset fruit flavored candy on her first try.

Although Paimon kept praising Luminous for her incredible luck, Luminous vaguely felt that her choice just now wasn't luck, but rather that she genuinely knew that box number four contained the sunset fruit flavored candy that Paimon wanted.

"Huh? How could that be? It was clearly random..."

Paimon's doubtful tone clearly indicated that he didn't think so, but Ying said that this sense of déjà vu had occurred too many times, and Paimon couldn't help but worry about Ying's health.

"Ying? Did we not sleep well last night, or did we sleep too much?"

After thinking for a moment, Ying decided that it would be better to leave Dina Zede's side temporarily and investigate on her own.

"Excuse me, I'll take my leave for a moment, Dina Zede."

After Dina Zede said it was okay, Ying left without looking back, and Paimon quickly followed.

Afterwards, Ying went to the Lambard Tavern, where Dina Zede had taken them before. After finding a place to sit down, Ying told Paimon about what had happened before.

"You mean déjà vu? I think I know that term too, it's the feeling that you've experienced something before when you're doing something in front of you... Speaking of which, I think I've had a vague feeling about it today too... But it's just an illusion, right? So why did you suddenly come here?"

Ying also gave her own answer to Paimon's question.

"I want to do some things I don't usually do, and see if I can get rid of the sense of familiarity."

"I see. So you deliberately do things differently to see if you can still feel that familiar feeling from doing it before..."

Just then, the tavern owner, Lambad, came over and interrupted their conversation.

"Welcome, gentlemen. Are you here for dinner? What would you like to order today?"

"One coconut charcoal cake."

Without the slightest hesitation, Ying ordered a dish that she would never normally order.

"Alright, the guests seem to be from out of town, but they have quite good taste. I'll tell them to start cooking right away."

[Tesla (Honkai Impact 3): This coconut charcoal pancake sounds rather unique. What kind of dish is it?]

[Paimon (Genshin Impact): Well, although I know it's normal food, its appearance and dry, rough texture still easily make people think it's charcoal and accidentally serve it on the table. Although, for the Sumerian people, it's still a delicious food.]

[Tesla (Honkai Impact 3): ...]

"Coconut charcoal cakes! Isn't that... well, you know, that thing that probably doesn't taste very good?"

Ying nodded, and Paimon then understood Ying's intention.

"Ah... I think I understand what you're trying to do. Generally speaking, you wouldn't order this dish."

A short while later, a black dish shaped like a coconut was served on the table, and Paimon still felt somewhat resistant to the food in front of him.

"This... are you really going to eat this? Isn't it... a bit too much of a sacrifice..."

Ying frowned as she looked at the food on the table, but finally made up her mind to pick up the food from the plate and stuff it into her mouth.

"W-How is it! Judging from your expression, it really does taste awful..."

Ying shook her head, her expression serious, and said, "No... the taste is actually not bad."

"Then...could it be that..."

"This taste...I've definitely had it before."

Ying savored the memory but couldn't quite articulate its meaning.

"Theoretically, it shouldn't be possible. We clearly disliked this dish so much before... So it seems like this is just... a sense of déjà vu?"

"As expected, I still can't get rid of it. It seems I've tried this before."

"I always feel like I've been to this bar many, many times, but we're clearly not regulars."

[Ruan Mei (Starry Sky Railway): So, what we're actually seeing isn't Ying and Paimon's first and second experiences, but rather several cycles before that? If that's the case, then Miss Dina Zede's situation is in danger.]

[Star (Hyperion): Why do you say that?]

[Ruan Mei (Starry Sky Railway): Dreaming, simply put, is the brain remaining active while you sleep. This means your brain isn't actually resting. If someone dreams for a long time, they'll experience mental fatigue and lack of energy. Ying and Paimon are normal and healthy, but Dina Zede is not. Prolonged dreaming will worsen her health, which explains her previous lack of energy. In severe cases, she might even die in her dreams.]

[Silver Branch (Hyperion): If that's the case, wouldn't Miss Dina Zede's situation be extremely dangerous?]

[March 7th (Starry Sky Railway): It can't be that dangerous, right? This video happened in the past for us, can it? We can still see Ms. Dina Zede in the group chat now, so there shouldn't be any problem. Besides, didn't we already say this was just someone's dream?]

[Himeko (Starry Sky Railway): Little March, have you forgotten about Pinocchio's dream? Although synesthetic dreams are definitely impossible in Sumeru, don't forget about the Void, a device that connects everyone's consciousness. If the Void is used properly, it's still possible to pull everyone into one person's dream.]

[Narcida (Genshin Impact): Just as Himeko said, it is indeed possible to use the Void to pull the consciousness of all those connected to the Void into the same person's dream, and at the same time, it is possible to create a dream loop. However, breaking this loop is very simple; all you need to do is make the person as the subject realize that they are dreaming.]

[Dr. Truth (Starry Sky Railway): Is it really that simple?]

[Narcida (Genshin Impact): It's that simple. But I'm a little curious about what synesthetic dreams are like on your side. Could you tell me about them?]

Although Ladio, known as the Doctor of Truth, spoke harshly without holding back, his body honestly revealed the principles and conditions of synesthetic dreams in detail.

As Paimon suggested going outside to try again, Ying also got up and left the Lambad Tavern.

Of course, the coconut charcoal cakes were all eaten, and Mora paid the bill.

After Ying and Paimon left the tavern, it was already evening, and Dina Zede sat on a bench not far away.

"What a coincidence, Dina Zede! We've run into each other again. Why are you resting here all alone?"

Upon hearing Paimon's voice, Dina Zede also looked up at the two people walking towards her.

"Oh, I just ran into some thugs, but luckily Dixia helped me out. I wasn't feeling well afterwards, so I sat down here."

"A thug? Oh my god, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Dixia's arm has a few scrapes, but it's nothing serious."

"Eh... that's alright. But I have a feeling... Dina Zede seems a bit unhappy today, even though it's the Flower Goddess's Birthday Festival that you were so looking forward to."

"No, I've always been like this. Excessive exercise and high emotional intensity can worsen my condition. Besides, no matter how special today is, it's just one day. After who knows how many more days, my time will be over."

[Gold Sand (Starry Sky Railway): This sentence... Could it be that Miss Dina Zede is the owner of this dream?]

[Doctor Truth (Starry Sky Railway): Idiot, obviously not.]

[Gold Sand (Starry Sky Railway): Oh? Does Professor Ladio have a different opinion?]

[Doctor Truth (Starry Sky Railway): Remember what Nasita said before? The dream will end as soon as the dreamer realizes they are dreaming. It's clear that Dinazede has already realized this, but the dream still hasn't ended, which proves that this dream isn't hers. Of course, it's also possible that she's simply expressing her pessimistic emotions.]

[Paimon (Genshin Impact): Waaah, is this the kind of speculation a clever person could come up with? The owner of this dream is definitely not Dina Zede. As for who it is... I'm sorry, the system won't let me post it...]

[System: Of course! Paimon spoiling the plot is bad civilization; it ruins the fun.]

Meanwhile, within the video.

"What are you saying, Dina Zede? I don't think I understand... but you seem very pessimistic right now..."

"I'm so sorry for leaving so suddenly before."

"It's really okay, I didn't mind."

"I've encountered some strange situations... Have you noticed anything unusual?"

"Huh? What happened?"

Seeing Dina Zede's puzzled look, Ying also confirmed that Dina Zede had not noticed anything unusual.

"Well... does Dina Zede feel a sense of déjà vu? It's like these things have happened before..."

"Déjà vu? No, but for the past few years, I've been trapped in a life where every day is pretty much the same. Even if I did have a sense of déjà vu, I'd probably be used to it by now."

"Could it be... that only Ying and I have it..."

Seeing that it was almost time, Dina Zede got up and invited the two of them to come with her to see Nil's Flower Goddess Dance. Yingyan saw that she couldn't get any answers from them, so she followed Dina Zede to the Grand Bazaar.

As Ying watched the confrontation between the Great Sage Azar and Nel, a strong sense of déjà vu surged into her heart once again.

However, Nel was unable to persuade Azar to continue the Flower Goddess Festival, and the festival ended in a regretful atmosphere.

Back in their room, the problem of déjà vu remained unresolved. Both Ying and Paimon said their heads were spinning, and despite not thinking much, their minds felt extremely tired.

With no clue what was going on, the two could only assume it was just an illusion caused by exhaustion and decided to rest early and think about it tomorrow.

Just after the two fell asleep, the mysterious whistle sounded again.

"...Intelligence output has decreased slightly, but is still within the normal threshold range."

"Continue to monitor the numerical changes and find out the cause as soon as possible."

So, the next day arrived.