Spring 27th of the first year

Fine spring rain falls on Lucky Star Farm.

You gaze wistfully at the patch of parsnips in front of your house. They no longer need watering; their only purpose is to occupy the farmland and reduce the hassle of digging them up again after the seasons change.

Summer is approaching in Stardew Valley, and you want to get enough crystals before the busy farming season, so you head into the mountains to mine early in the morning.

The fortune-telling shows on TV say that your luck today is entirely in your own hands. You don't like this kind of statement, like asking a colleague to choose yes or no and she choosing or. Neutral luck usually means today is neither a good time to break through a mine's silo nor to take the opportunity to brush off dust sprites.

But with the idea of ​​seizing every minute, you still take the elevator to the 90th floor of the mine and start blasting ore non-stop, while also collecting red mushrooms for sacrifice.

That day you blasted 14 magma crystals and 3 omnipotent crystals, fewer than you expected, which made you feel anxious. Even after completing the new sacrifice pack and receiving 5 of the mayor's favorite autumn gifts, you couldn't be happy.

The dejected miner walked into the Star Fruit Bar, pulled out the birthday gift for Zenin Maki—a freshly mined aquamarine that day.

"A birthday present? Thank you!" Zenin Maki said with satisfaction.

You smile wearily, thinking it's hardly a good gift at all—just a cheap gemstone that's been donated to a museum and is no longer needed, not even worth as much as a slightly more expensive fish.

Right now, you have emeralds, rubies, and even diamonds in your backpack. You're only giving away aquamarine because you suddenly miss Emily's original short blue hair.

The excessive explosions and health regeneration made you dizzy, and you didn't even have the energy to look at the live stream anymore. After returning home from the bar, you fell asleep as soon as your head hit the pillow.

Strangely, you didn't dream about the settlement screen or a witch flying by that night. Instead, you felt like you were lying on someone's lap, your eyelids heavy, passively listening to the sounds coming from the outside world.

"Compatibility... is still too low." A sigh followed by a familiar voice, though you couldn't quite place it.

"What should we do, Mr. Qi?"

You struggle to wake up, but a cold hand touches your forehead, and you quickly become unable to move, your consciousness becoming increasingly blurred.

"...Fortunately, it's already over there, but he can't just take my gift for nothing."

"It only solves part of the problem; if the right choices are not made, it could still turn into the worst possible outcome."

"I'm willing to believe him."

"Alright, then let's close the channel from now on. It can't be too long. We all know the result of a complete fusion."

"Yes... I won't let that happen."

You are plunged into utter darkness.