NTE Version 1.0 Phase 2 Update Guide May 2026: Hotori Banner, New Events & All Changes

NTE Version 1.0 Phase 2 — May 13, 2026 Update Overview

The first major content update for Neverness to Everness (NTE) arrives on May 13, 2026, bringing the game's next exclusive S-Class character, a new limited Arc, two new time-limited events, Bond content expansions, and a series of balance and quality-of-life fixes. This is the Phase 2 update of Version 1.0 and represents the first large content drop since the game's global launch on April 29, 2026.

Maintenance for this update ran from 06:00 to 11:00 AM (UTC+8) on May 13. Players received compensation for the downtime upon logging in after servers restored. All new content is live following the maintenance window.

Hotori Limited Banner — Misty Tipsy Style

Hotori — S-Class Exclusive Character

The headline addition of Phase 2 is Hotori, a new exclusive S-Class character now available on the limited Misty Tipsy Style board. Hotori is a time-manipulation DPS character with the unique ability to stop time during her combat rotation, creating windows of uncontested damage output and enabling precise follow-up chains that other characters cannot replicate.

The Misty Tipsy Style board is available from May 13 (after maintenance) through June 3, 2026, at 05:59 AM (UTC+8). Alongside Hotori, the board also features the A-Class characters Haniel, Aurelia, and Skia as rate-up companions on the same pull pool.

Unlock Requirement: Complete the Episode Quest "Prologue: A New Destination — Head to Eibon Antique Shop" to access the board.

Hourglass Perks Event

Running alongside the Misty Tipsy Style board, the Hourglass Perks event provides additional rewards tied to board activity. New outfit rewards are available and can be obtained by landing on specific tiles or after accumulating a set number of dice rolls during the event period. Cosmetic highlights include Hotori's exclusive outfit "Priceless Orchid", the "Orchid Breeze" glider livery, and the "Autumn Haze" Blizzard-V4 vehicle livery.

Marching Beyond Time — Exclusive S-Class Arc

Phase 2 also introduces the new exclusive S-Class Arc "Marching Beyond Time", available through the Bright Moon Special Arc Research Program from May 13 through June 3, 2026, at 05:59 AM (UTC+8).

Marching Beyond Time is specifically designed for Hotori and dramatically amplifies her time-manipulation mechanics. Spend Tri-Keys to participate in the Arc Research Program and pull for this Arc. Access the program through Arc Shop › Arc Research Program in-game. This Arc is currently only obtainable through this limited-time program — it will not be available in standard Arc pools until a future re-run.

Unlock Requirement: Complete the Episode Quest "Prologue: A New Destination — Head to Eibon Antique Shop" to access Arc Research.

Zero's Companion Event

Duration: May 13 (after maintenance) — May 27, 2026, at 04:59 AM (UTC+8)

The Zero's Companion event is a two-week limited event centered on choosing a companion and completing daily and limited-time quests to earn escalating rewards. Here is how it works:

1. Choose a Companion: At the start of the event, select a companion character. Your companion travels with you during the event period and provides starting rewards of Annulith, Senior Hunter Guides, Colorless Dye, and Beetle Coins.
2. Complete Daily Quests: Daily event quests refresh at 05:00 AM (server time) each day. Completing them earns event points.
3. Complete Companion Quests: Limited-time companion-specific quests (completed once, no refresh) provide additional event points beyond daily missions.
4. Raise Your Companion Level: Accumulated event points increase your Companion Level. Reaching level milestones unlocks progressive reward tiers.
5. Claim Target Rewards: On the Zero's Companion › Target Reward page, claim milestone rewards including Annulith, Floe Cinema Tickets, Fons, Senior Hunter Guides, Colorless Dye, and Beetle Coins.

This event is the primary source of free Annulith in Phase 2 for players who do not pull on the Hotori banner, making participation essential for saving toward future characters.

Whisker Patrol Event

Duration: May 27, 12:00 PM — June 3, 2026, at 04:59 AM (UTC+8)

Whisker Patrol is the second Phase 2 event, active in the final week of the update period. It is a combat challenge event focused on accumulating points by defeating specific enemy types:

• Defeating anomalies in the open world
• Defeating Garuda members (faction enemies)
• Defeating high-risk anomalies (elite targets)

Accumulating points unlocks sequential reward tiers, with each tier claimable only once. The daily point cap is 150 points — once reached, no additional points are earned until the next reset at 05:00 AM (server time).

Multiplayer rules: In multiplayer modes, only the player who lands the final blow on an anomaly or Garuda member receives event points. High-risk anomaly defeats in multiplayer do not grant event points — these must be completed solo or in coordinated parties where the kill credit is managed.

Rewards: Annulith, Expansion Cores, Fons, and additional resource items at milestone tiers.

New Bond Content for Hotori

Phase 2 adds a comprehensive set of Bond content for Hotori, expanding her relationship storyline with the player. New additions include:

• Bond Interactions: New interactive scenes unlocked by reaching required Bond Levels with Hotori. Higher Bond Levels unlock her passenger seat feature (ride in vehicles with Hotori) and her exclusive invite events — unique hangout scenarios unavailable for other characters.
• City Hangouts: New City Hangout content added specifically for Hotori, allowing players to explore Hethereau's districts with her during downtime.
• Text Messages: New text message conversations with Hotori become available as Bond Level increases, providing additional character lore and relationship depth.
• Battle Tutorial: A dedicated Battle Tutorial for Hotori's combat mechanics has been added, teaching players how to use her time-stop abilities optimally in combat scenarios.

Quality-of-Life Improvements

Multiplayer Party Finder — Recommended Players List

A new "Recommended Players" list has been added to the multiplayer party finder interface. This feature surfaces players with compatible power levels, content goals, and activity status, making it easier to assemble parties for Anomaly Zones, Pink Paws Heist, and other multiplayer content without manually searching.

Pink Paws Heist — Phone Booth Extraction Point Changes

The Phone Booth extraction system in Pink Paws Heist has received a significant balance adjustment. Starting from this update:

• At the start of each match, 6 extraction points activate at random from the full pool of available Phone Booth locations.
• Activated extraction points remain open throughout the entire match — they no longer close down as the match progresses.

This change reduces the pressure on extraction timing and opens up more strategic flexibility in the late stages of each Heist match. Players who previously timed their extraction around point closure windows will need to adapt their approach under the new system.

Event and Content Schedule Summary

• Hotori Limited Banner (Misty Tipsy Style): May 13 → June 3, 2026
• Marching Beyond Time Arc (Bright Moon Special): May 13 → June 3, 2026
• Zero's Companion Event: May 13 → May 27, 2026
• Whisker Patrol Event: May 27 → June 3, 2026
• Hotori Bond & City Hangout Content: Available from May 13, no expiry
• Hourglass Perks (board cosmetics): May 13 → June 3, 2026

Should You Pull Hotori?

Hotori is an excellent burst DPS character with a unique time-stop mechanic that no other character in the current roster replicates. Her Marching Beyond Time signature Arc amplifies her playstyle significantly, though she functions at high performance with available free Arc alternatives as well.

The Misty Tipsy Style board also includes Haniel, Aurelia, and Skia at boosted rates — if you are missing any of these A-Class supports (particularly Haniel for Blossom teams), the board provides double value even if you do not secure Hotori.

For Annulith conservation: the Zero's Companion event provides a meaningful free Annulith infusion for players who skip the banner. If your primary goal is saving for future limited characters, participate in all event quests to maximize the free Annulith from Phase 2 before the next version update.