[Honkai: Star Rail] As a Mischief-Maker, I Change Paths Every Month

My new story next door, Marry into the Gojo Family! Natsume-kun, updates every night at 10...

Qiu Ming is one of the Fools of the Tavern. His mission is to follow the Aeon of Elation, and he has his own philosophy of fun.

As the Joyous Phantom Thief, he steals treasures from villains and weaves bizarre, dazzling dreams for them. Watching them wake from their dreams only to find their treasures gone is such a delight, isn't it?

Even if countless people across the universe despise him, and the bounty on his head could fund a century of research for Ms. Herta, so what? What could possibly matter more than having fun?

Across the universe, amid a hail of bullets and along the Path of Elation, Qiu Ming lives for fun and revels in his joy. He's the most carefree Masked Fool in the Tavern.

But in the end, the jokester became the joke.

It was an utterly ordinary day. He casually drove a mafia boss to question his own existence, casually stole the man's spoils of victory, casually returned to the Tavern for a drink, and casually picked out his next target.

Who knows why, but when he woke up, instead of thinking about his next bit of fun, all he could think about was building a wall.

Looking at the broken stone statue outside the window, he felt uncomfortable all over. Unable to stop himself, he picked up some bricks and, under everyone's watchful eyes, built a wall that completely enclosed the statue, as if it were the world's most precious treasure.

Sampo: Hey, buddy! You're giving up being a phantom thief to become a bricklayer? That's hilarious!

Sparkle: Qiu Ming, I have to admit, your method of getting the Aeon of Elation to notice you is pretty unique. But believe me, your little stunt may be funny, but it's just like a kid trying to get their parents' attention. Ugh, I can hardly bear to watch.

Almost all the Masked Fools thought Qiu Ming was doing it to get Aha's attention!

Qiu Ming waved his shovel. Cement flew everywhere, nearly splattering the Fools, as he forced a smile more painful than a grimace. "What do you know! I can't help myself. All I want to do is build a wall!"

Seeing this, Giovanni mused, "My friend, have you switched to the Path of Preservation?"

His words woke them from their stupor. After testing him, they discovered that Qiu Ming was no longer on the Path of Elation, but had stepped onto the Path of Preservation!

This is so much fun... No, no... What the hell?

In all of history, they'd only seen people change their beliefs. They'd never seen anyone change Paths after already setting foot on one! This was simply too delightful! An Elation so incredible it deserved to go down in history!

Everyone clapped and praised Qiu Ming for creating the most entertaining moment in centuries.

As the first person to experience his companions' enthusiasm, Qiu Ming could only feel one thing: You Wubbaboos, I could just die of love for you!

He's a fun-loving guy, but that doesn't mean he wants to become the joke. These days, if he isn't protecting something, he feels uncomfortable all over. He thought nothing could be worse than suddenly having his Path changed, but a month later, when it changed again, he finally understood what it meant to wish he were dead.

Are these Paths his relatives? Do they have to come around every month?

Faced with this unprecedented phenomenon, every faction in the universe learned that there was a former Masked Fool who now changed Paths every month.

Because of this unusual trait, he became a prime research subject for the Intelligentsia Guild.

Screwllum held his notebook, smiling as he looked at the precious test subject before him. "My friend, tell me, what comes to mind whenever you change Paths?"

Qiu Ming smiled and clenched his fist. "Something does."

He kept smiling and took a deep breath, then wore an innocent, guileless grin. "I want to slap Aha twice."

Ordinary people can't easily make someone else change the Path they've already walked. But what about a god? There was only one being in the universe who would do something this pointless.

Aha: "Ha! Someone wants to slap me? Now that's fun!"

Content note: Because Qiu Ming can change Paths, Aha takes an interest in him, but this story has no romantic pairings. Everyone's relationship with the protagonist is platonic.

The protagonist is a Long-Life Species. Because his Path keeps changing, he often moves between worlds. Since the game has only a limited number of maps, some of the settings are original.

Aha isn't the reason Qiu Ming changes Paths, but Aha is definitely enjoying the show.

The Trailblazer I played is Caelus, so the Trailblazer in this story is Caelus too.

Theme: Explore your true self