《Honkai Impact 3rd : This is My Revenge》 Chapter 1 - 001 : After At the Anti-Entropy branch in West Asia, deep within a hidden underground research facility, in a cell-like environment unfit for human habitation... A thin, emaciated young man with disheveled black hair and cracked lips suddenly grinned, revealing a horrifying, manic smile. He had become the Tenth Herrscher of this "Current Civilization Era"¡ªthe Herrscher of Dominance. Also known as: the Herrscher of a Thousand. --- Ling Ke was a Chinese man who had crossed over into this world. His initial experiences were clich¨¦. Several years ago, around 2013 in this era, he arrived in this eerily familiar Honkai Impact 3rd world during late autumn. Once, he had been a hardcore, daily-check-in cleaning crew member (Captain) who had spent years grinding away. He had always admired, yearned for, and even revered those who fought for the beauty of this world. Because he knew he could never sacrifice himself so selflessly. Back then, when he realized he had crossed over to a time before the "Third Honkai Eruption," he thought: Even if he couldn''t be as outstanding as those heroes, he could still lend them a hand. For example: stopping Cocolia''s schemes. After all, in his memory, millions of innocent residents of Nagazora had perished in that man-made disaster. Moreover, Raiden Mei, one of the "Big Three," had become the Third Herrscher as a result, living in guilt and torment for a long time. So much so that she later voluntarily implanted a micro-bomb in her heart to prevent the Herrscher from going berserk. Ling Ke knew that if this world''s future followed its original historical trajectory, humanity in this era would overcome the fate of extinction. In fact, it would even give birth to a "God of Earth." But, in the process, too many people had been left with too many regrets. "If my assistance could undo some of these regrets, like saving Teacher Himeko..." "Or ensuring that the ''Elysian Realm'' doesn''t disappear, allowing the Flame-Chasers to witness this era''s human civilization surpassing the Finality..." "Wouldn''t that make this story even more beautiful?" That year, Ling Ke had such thoughts. Therefore, even though he knew Nagazora would soon experience the "Third Honkai Eruption," he chose not to leave the danger zone immediately. Instead, he sought out Raiden Mei, who had not yet become the Third Herrscher, and personally shared some crucial information with her. This included how Cocolia would use an economic scandal to imprison Ryoma Raiden, and how Mei herself would be treated after losing her father''s protection. He explained some basic information about the "Honkai" to Mei, and after feeling he had gained her trust, he urged her to contact her father and relay the message. He didn''t mention anything about the "Third Herrscher"... to avoid sending Mei into a panic. Ling Ke had thought that once Ryoma Raiden, a fellow Anti-Entropy executive, learned of this information, he wouldn''t repeat the same mistakes. But... Ling Ke never found out what happened afterward. All he remembered was that, the very next day, he was ambushed by Cocolia. (TL1/N: pffttt) He was surrounded by a group of heavily armed special forces. Cocolia even deployed Anti-Entropy mechs. And... that familiar girl, "Bronya Zaychik." The latter, who had already topped the "Charon List" as the world''s number one assassin, was someone Ling Ke couldn''t hope to resist at the time. Moreover, due to his lack of counter-surveillance skills, he was easily tracked. In the end, his limbs were dislocated, and he was captured. For the next few months, Ling Ke never saw Bronya again. Because he was immediately subjected to the "Message" treatment in Cocolia''s underground facility. During this time, he discovered that his willpower was far stronger than he had imagined. Even under relentless torture, he never revealed any sensitive information. Ling Ke knew that if he told Cocolia everything he knew, that madwoman would undoubtedly cause even greater chaos. After all, the title "Civil War Phantom God" wasn''t just for show. And once he outlived his usefulness... Death? To be honest, there were many times when Ling Ke wished for death. But by then, a seed of darkness had already taken root in his heart. He wanted Cocolia to pay. It was during this time that he made a surprising discovery: for some reason, truth serums and similar methods had no effect on his willpower. Fueled by his desire for revenge, he endured those torturous months until... the "Third Honkai Eruption" from the original storyline erupted as scheduled. By the end of March 2014, too many things had happened. So much so that Cocolia didn''t even have time to retrieve Ling Ke, who was still in Nagazora, before hastily retreating. A few days later, Ling Ke encountered another familiar face. "Rita Rossweisse." After the Far East branch''s evacuation, Rita, as an investigator for the Schicksal organization, arrived in Nagazora. With her skills, she quickly discovered the abandoned underground facility where Ling Ke was being held. She found him. At that moment, Ling Ke thought he had finally escaped his nightmare. Little did he know, he was stepping into another abyss. By then, Ling Ke''s body had already begun to turn into a Honkai zombie due to prolonged exposure to high concentrations of Honkai energy... but, strangely, the symptoms were slowly fading. When Schicksal''s scientists discovered him, they treated him like a treasure. Mistaking him for an Anti-Entropy experiment, they... For the next few years, after being transferred to the West Asia branch, Ling Ke never saw the sun again. What he endured was far worse than the previous torture. It was so brutal that it often reminded him of a story called "Ajin." He felt less like a human being and more like a piece of... expendable meat. Until today... --- In a bizarre subspace, Ling Ke stood silently before the massive, "familiar" Theater of Dominance. At first, he said nothing. He just stood there, his eyes vacant, like a soulless puppet. But gradually... "Heh..." "Ha!" S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "HAHAHAHAHA!!!" Feeling the complete Herrscher core in his chest, capable of multiplying from "one" to "a thousand," and confirming that he was indeed the main body of the Herrscher of Dominance... Ling Ke laughed. His expression was maniacal, like a mad demon. Perhaps he had already gone insane. Because even now, his eyes still lacked any semblance of life. Like Kiritsugu Emiya from the Fourth Holy Grail War... All that remained was... The dark obsession that had long since sprouted from its seed!!! Its name was¡ª "After nearly four years of enduring endless torment, I''ve finally seized this opportunity for transformation." "Good! Very good! Excellent!" "Since the chance has been handed to me, then..." Standing before the gates of the Theater of Dominance, Ling Ke, with the crazed expression of someone who had just been stabbed in the brain, raised his arms and declared, "From this moment on, I will..." "Exact my revenge upon this world!" Chapter 2 - 002 : The World-Ending Player To this day, Ling Ke still remembers the final moments before he crossed over. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That day, he had simply wanted to buy a watermelon from the fruit store downstairs to beat the summer heat. But as he walked, he suddenly felt something and instinctively looked up, only to see a blue streak of light falling from the sky, growing larger and larger in his vision. To this day, he still doesn''t know what exactly hit him on the head. But... "Logically speaking, something that can smash someone into another world should be a cheat item, right?" "A system? An inheritance? An old mentor? A demon god''s core? Or maybe a starbeast''s nucleus?" Ling Ke had fantasized about all these classic possibilities countless times in his mind. Because they represented his hope for escape. Unfortunately, during the nearly four years of torment, no matter how desperately he called out, there was never any response. But now, today... [Detected a special region meeting the binding conditions for the "Rebirth Chamber." The "Number One Player System" has been fully activated.] [Please choose your future development path: "Savior Player" or "World-Ending Player."] Looking at the classic rectangular, semi-transparent virtual interface before him, Ling Ke, after a brief moment of stunned silence, narrowed his eyes slightly. Without a doubt, if it were him from a few years ago, he would have chosen to become the "Savior Player" without hesitation. But now, his fervent heart had long since extinguished. So, equally without a doubt... [Host has chosen to become: "World-Ending Player."] [From this day forward, whenever a sentient being dies due to the host''s subjective actions, whether directly caused or indirectly influenced, the host will receive 1 unit of points.] [Points can be used to randomly draw "Game Character Templates" within the system. The host can load these templates onto themselves, gaining the corresponding "Character Traits," "Game Skills," and "Background Talents."] [Initial process completed. Reward: "Beginner''s Gift Pack."] Ling Ke quickly browsed through the relevant information. Soon, he sorted out his thoughts. First... "If we completely ignore humanitarian factors, the difference between the ''Savior Player'' and the ''World-Ending Player'' lies in the different focus of their advantages." "The method for the ''World-Ending Player'' to earn points is clearly simpler than that of the ''Savior Player.''" "Just kill directly and violently." "But for the ''Savior Player,'' if the same person encounters danger multiple times and is repeatedly saved, points can be earned repeatedly." "One is rapid short-term growth, the other is more of a slow and steady approach." At this moment, Ling Ke hadn''t even realized it himself... His way of thinking had become exceptionally cold-blooded. Or perhaps it could be said: an absolute rationality based on self-interest... to a terrifying degree. And on this foundation... "As the host of the ''Number One Player System'' and the Herrscher of Domination of this era..." "This means that the game character template loading function, which originally could only be applied to ''one person,'' has now been expanded to ''a thousand people.''" "And this Domination Theater..." Ling Ke looked around, "After being bound by the system as my ''Rebirth Chamber,'' it has transformed into an absolute domain completely under my control." He remembered that in many games he had played before crossing over, the "Rebirth Chamber" was mostly a protective circle that "enemies could not invade." For example: Left 4 Dead. Or: Overwatch. So... "Now, this Domination Theater, with the characteristics of a ''Rebirth Chamber,'' unless I personally approve, no one can forcefully break in." "And based on this premise, operations like Kiana using the Herrscher of the Void''s ability to teleport a battleship inside, as in the original Honkai Impact 3rd storyline... are impossible to succeed." "Therefore, as long as I stay within the Domination Theater, I am inherently invincible." Then... [The "Beginner''s Gift Pack" has been opened.] [Congratulations, host, you have obtained a new game character template¡ªAnby.] Seeing this result, Ling Ke''s lips curled into a slight smile. Immediately, he called up the detailed introduction provided by the system: [Game Character Template: Anby] [From: Zenless Zone Zero] [Character Traits: Level Mechanism, Health Mechanism, Infinite Stamina, Indestructible Equipment, Electric Attribute, Break Effect, Character Switching...] [Game Skills: Normal Attack: Volt Strike, Normal Attack: Thunderfall, Dodge: Slide, Dash Attack: Arc Slash...] [Background Talent: High Ether Affinity...] [Related Introduction: Age unknown, real name unknown, current name: Anby Demara, suspected former member of the Obol Squad "Zero" soldier...] "Zero, huh!" Ling Ke inexplicably felt a sense of resonance, "This number suits the current me quite well." "Then next..." A dangerously cold smile appeared on Ling Ke''s face, "Let''s start my first act of revenge." "This West Asia Branch... has no reason to exist anymore." ****** Regarding the authority of the Herrscher of Domination, Ling Ke had discovered a few key points. First, perhaps because he was an outsider who had crossed over, Ling Ke, as the main body of the Thousand Herrschers of Domination, no longer needed to hijack the consciousness of other sentient beings to expand the group. The thousand Herrschers of Domination were all him. This point, for the current Ling Ke, was undoubtedly quite satisfying. Because now, he trusted no one but himself. And on this foundation... "Although I can freely open spatial gates to travel to and from the Domination Theater, in situations where there are no people outside, the spatial gate can only be opened in places I have set foot in after becoming a Herrscher." In this aspect, it was clearly far inferior to the Herrscher of the Void, who could freely manipulate space. For example, now, having just recently become a Herrscher, Ling Ke could only open the spatial gate in the prison cell he was in. Of course, a simple electronic iron-barred cell door could no longer hold him. Because as long as he reached out, passed through the cell door, he could open the spatial gate at the tip of his finger outside the cell door. Or leave a mark on a small object and throw it out... In this regard, it was somewhat similar to the "Flying Thunder God Technique" from Naruto, but in the form of a portal. Moreover... "The initial Herrscher of Domination, aside from being able to use the ''Domination Theater'' and ''Spatial Gates,'' can also seize the authority of other Herrschers, as well as... use that special ''thread'' in combat." "And including the above abilities, as long as it is an ability that the Herrscher of Domination¡ªthat is, I¡ªhave obtained, all ''Domination Puppets'' can use it." "Based on this characteristic, even though I have only obtained one game character template now..." At this point in his thoughts, Ling Ke chose to load the "Anby" game character template. In the next moment, within the vast Domination Theater, all 999 "Domination Puppets" changed their appearances. All of them transformed into girls with black and green outfits, wearing headphones, and with short silver-gray hair. Upon closer inspection, on the backs of these 999 "Domination Puppets: Anby," each carried a battery pack module with a number. The original Anby was: 123. And the 999 "Domination Puppets: Anby" present were numbered from 001 to 999. As for Ling Ke''s own number, it was: 000. Yes, the true "Zero." Chapter 3 - 003 : The Demon Above the Asura It was late at night. For ordinary people not working the night shift, this was the time to sleep and rest. But in the base of the Schicksal West Asia Branch, many areas were still lit up. At this moment, in the underground prison level of the base, a "Domination Puppet: Anby" had replaced Ling Ke''s main body, hidden behind the scenes¡ªdeep within the Domination Theater¡ªand was now acting alone in the main world. Buzz~ With a wave of energy fluctuation, she easily passed through the electronically locked iron bars on one side of the cell using the "Spatial Gate" authority retained by the Herrscher of Domination. Now, Ling Ke, an outsider who had crossed over, had his life form completely changed after becoming a Herrscher and successfully activating and binding the "Number One Player" system. Now, he was "a thousand" as well as "one," and "one" as well as "a thousand." All consciousnesses were synchronized in real-time, making him a true collective life form. The only weakness, his main body, no longer intended to leave the impregnable Domination Theater. And as long as he lived, the other 999 Domination Puppets could be resurrected in the Domination Theater, this "Rebirth Chamber", no matter how many times they were destroyed, and return to fight again. It was also in this state... "For someone who was once just an ordinary person, this prison, which seemed like an insurmountable chasm, could now be escaped so easily." Ling Ke, like a player outside the screen, remotely synchronized with the "Domination Puppet: Anby" body, glanced back at the dark cell, "Indeed, in this world, power is everything... Hmm?" He paused slightly, tilting his head to look at a corner diagonally above. There, a surveillance camera was positioned. As its lens turned toward the location of the "Domination Puppet: Anby"... Beep beep beep! An alarm sounded. "Hah, I really am careless." Ling Ke''s gaze sharpened, "Discovered so quickly." At this moment, if one carefully observed the facial expression of the "Domination Puppet: Anby" synchronized with his main body, they would notice... It was an extremely cold, almost maniacal smile. Extremely dangerous! So... Was the current situation really caused by his carelessness? Obviously not! The current Ling Ke, whether you call him arrogant or reckless... He just wanted to vent recklessly. To vent the negative emotions accumulated day and night over the past four years. So, after confirming that his main body was absolutely safe as long as he stayed hidden in the Domination Theater, he didn''t even think about sneaking out. Stealthy assassinations? Quietly taking revenge on those researchers? No, no, no! After swaggeringly breaking out of prison, he wanted to slaughter his way through the entire West Asia Branch. Then, keep killing. Kill! Kill! Kill! Until he grew bored. It was with this determination... Tap~ tap~ tap~ Ling Ke remotely synchronized his consciousness, controlling the "Domination Puppet: Anby," and walked step by step along the route he remembered being taken to the laboratory. At a certain moment, he arrived in front of a massive reinforced gate. Then, he waited quietly. He didn''t have to wait long... "Whoosh~" The thick electronic gate was activated from the outside by those self-righteous fools. "If you were a bit smarter, it would have taken me more effort to escape." Ling Ke silently mocked in his heart. Just then... Clank, clank, clank! The gate opened, and a group of heavily armed special forces personnel aimed their guns at the "Domination Puppet: Anby," who stood motionless in place. Dozens of laser sights locked onto her forehead and heart. "Don''t move, raise your hands." The leader¡ªperhaps the squad captain¡ªspoke. Like the other special forces members around him, he wore tactical gear that covered his face. He was far too overconfident. So much so that before Ling Ke had even made a move, he had already started reporting: "Reporting to the commander, the intruder has been located." "Immediate suppression¡ª" Shing! The sound of a blade scraping against its sheath interrupted the leader''s report. In an instant, everyone''s attention was drawn to the "Domination Puppet: Anby." They saw that even with dozens of gun barrels pointed at her, she showed not a hint of panic. Instead, she casually raised her right hand, gripping the hilt of the blade at her waist. Slowly, she drew it... "Final warning, don''t move." "Otherwise, we will shoot to kill." The leader barked sternly. Unfortunately, it was useless... In their line of sight, the short-haired girl had already drawn a straight black blade, holding it in a reverse grip as she positioned it in front of her. Her legs bent slightly, clearly preparing to move... "Open fire!" Ratatatatat! The leader immediately gave the order to fire. His subordinates followed the command without hesitation. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For a moment, the muzzle flashes repeatedly illuminated the dim surroundings. However... Clink, clink, clink, clink, clink~ A bizarre scene unfolded. The short-haired girl, who had just bent her legs and prepared to charge, was now rushing head-on toward the line of special forces personnel, braving the hail of bullets. She showed no fear of the bullets coming her way. Because every threat that came close was effortlessly deflected by the black blade in her hand. She was cutting through bullets! Like Deadpool in his prime, she swung the black blade so fast that it left afterimages, creating an impenetrable barrier. Around her, sparks flew as the blade collided with the bullets. Facing what was, to her, no more than a gentle breeze... "She... she''s a Valkyrie!" "Fall back! Fall back!" "Notify the Silver Lotus Squad!" ... Seeing the short-haired girl closing in, the special forces personnel quickly retreated while continuing to fire, hoping to buy time with their suppressing fire. Unfortunately, for the short-haired girl, deflecting bullets didn''t slow her down at all. This was one of the effects of the "Anby" game character template during a sprint. In Zenless Zone Zero, there were several characters who could do this. Some could even deflect missiles. And now... !!! The barrage of fire from the dozen or so special forces personnel couldn''t suppress the advance of the mysterious short-haired girl in their eyes. Eventually, she closed the distance. Then... Swish~ swish~ swish~ Thud! The sharp black blade sliced through their armor and bodies as if they were tofu, cutting them in half at the waist. Without a doubt, this method of killing was extremely brutal. Because those cut in half wouldn''t die immediately. In fact, in Ling Ke''s homeland, there were even cases of people surviving such injuries. But for the special forces personnel now writhing on the ground in agony, survival was a distant hope. "You... who are you?" The leader, still conscious, struggled to ask. It was clear he was a dedicated professional. Unfortunately... "Me?" The short-haired girl mirrored Ling Ke''s expression, tilting her head as she spoke word by word, "Just a demon that even hell won''t take." "Oh, right!" She suddenly smiled again, adding, "By the way..." "The current me is your masterpiece!" With those words, the short-haired girl dragged the tip of the black blade along the ground, creating tiny sparks and a grating sound as she moved. She murmured softly... "So, I''m here to ''repay the favor.''" Chapter 4 - 004 : Revenge Targets, Locked! Within the West Asia Branch base, there were five individuals Ling Ke particularly "remembered." Among them, three were the white-coated scientists who had conducted human experiments on him. In fact, there were more assistants involved in the experiments related to Ling Ke. But he didn''t yet know their names. These three, however, were often referred to by their assistants as: Dr. Antonio. Dr. Aegis. Dr. Moniz. Of the three, Dr. Antonio was a stern man who cared only for experimental data. He paid no attention to the pain his test subjects endured on the operating table... nor did he care whether they could survive. Honestly, if Ling Ke hadn''t been so "valuable," he would have died many times over at this man''s hands. Many times, he had been saved from the brink of death by Dr. Aegis, Antonio''s colleague. However, Ling Ke felt no gratitude for this twisted form of "saving." Because... "Your suffering now is for the sake of humanity''s victory over the Honkai." "You should feel honored to endure this!" These were the "famous words" that came from Dr. Aegis. This man was obsessed with fame and status. Ling Ke had heard him complain more than once about why someone as brilliant as him couldn''t work at Schicksal''s headquarters. He also frequently belittled the renowned Valkyries. For example, the most famous Valkyrie, Durandal, was in his eyes just a "naive brat who got lucky with her bloodline." Ling Ke had listened to all of this. Honestly, some of the criticisms weren''t entirely wrong. But that didn''t stop him from hating this petty man. As for the last of the three, Dr. Moniz... She was a middle-aged woman. It was said she had a loving family. Her husband, though not particularly successful in his career, shared a deep bond with her. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And to give her children a better life, she... had been abusing her power. Over the years, the scientists at the West Asia Branch had discovered that the anti-Honkai serum made from Ling Ke''s blood was far more effective than the products from other branches. As a result, Dr. Moniz had secretly used this advantage to expand her connections, diverting some of the high-quality serum to sell to influential figures in politics, business, and the military. Of course, being so devoted to her family, she had also kept a sizable stock for herself. Ling Ke had only learned of this because, after several experiments, he had developed a resistance to the drugs used to knock him out, allowing him to wake up earlier than expected and overhear these secrets. It could be said that the extent to which he had been treated as a "resource" was largely due to this woman. For these three, Ling Ke had already planned how he would "entertain" them. Aside from these white-coated scientists, there were two others... The first was the branch director of the West Asia Branch. A Zuhar native from Jacob''s Land. The second... Currently stationed at the West Asia Branch base were two active Valkyrie squads. Their codenames were "Silver Lotus" and "Red Wing." Both squads were led by A-rank Valkyries, with B-rank Valkyries as their members. They were all selected from Jacob''s Land and the Star-Moon Nation. Among them, the captain of the Silver Lotus Squad was named: Edelweiss Even. At first glance, she was a stunning young woman. With golden hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, she perfectly embodied the phrase "an angel''s face, a devil''s body." --- Unfortunately... A few years ago, it was her and the branch director who, upon discovering Ling Ke''s uniqueness, immediately detained him. Ling Ke later learned that these two had used similar methods to trap, deceive, and abduct quite a few test subjects. During his time in the underground prison, he watched day after day as people were brought to the neighboring cells, taken away, and never returned. Every few days, the "neighbors" in the cells would change. And then, the cycle repeated. Once, that woman named Edelweiss, perhaps on a whim, actually visited the underground prison level and met Ling Ke. The first words she spoke to him at that time were still fresh in his memory... "You''re still alive! Like a cockroach." "Hah!" Inside the Domination Theater, Ling Ke''s main body let out a cold laugh. Now, he was fully aware that within the world of Honkai Impact 3rd, there existed far too many terrifying and utterly disgusting dark sides. And he had experienced them firsthand. So... "Since we''re going to entertain our ''guests,'' a lavish feast is a must." He narrowed his eyes, "Let''s prepare some cockroaches." "They shouldn''t be too hard to catch!" At this very moment, as his words faded... Buzz! A spatial gate opened outside the cell where he had been imprisoned. Then, one after another, "Domination Puppets: Anby" stepped out. The three-digit numbers on their backs were all different. As soon as they emerged from the spatial gate, they headed in different directions. At the same time... Wherever the first "Domination Puppet: Anby" had walked, spatial gates would occasionally open. More "Domination Puppets: Anby" poured out. Their figures spread across every floor. Clearly, Ling Ke had no intention of conserving his forces. The infinite resurrection feature of the "Rebirth Chamber" gave him enough confidence. Even in their initial state, each of the 999 "Anbys" possessed combat power comparable to a B-rank Valkyrie. They were more than enough to sweep through the entire West Asia Branch. "Remember, those five people can''t be killed. Leave them for me. I want to play~slowly~with them." "What about the others?" "From the underground prison level upward, kill them all." "What about the people locked up in the cells?" "Don''t be rude. They''re also ''guests'' for the feast." "Understood!" ¡Á999 Within the quantum entanglement communication unique to the Thousand Herrschers, the conversation between Ling Ke''s main body and the various "individuals" ended in an instant. Then, blood mist filled the air. The 999 "Domination Puppets: Anby" had only one set of actions. Charge, draw their blades... and slash! Whether it was armed security personnel on high alert or unarmed office workers kneeling and begging for mercy. Ling Ke didn''t bother to distinguish who was "innocent." His past kindness and conscience had long been riddled with holes, shattered beyond repair. Now, he was pure evil. However, compared to indiscriminate killing, he preferred "using evil to punish evil." Therefore, to allow himself, who had chosen to become the "World-Ending Player," to grow rapidly and unlock more game character templates... [Points: 167] [Points: 225] [Points: 276] Rather than focusing on who each "Domination Puppet: Anby" had killed or whether innocent people had been caught in the crossfire, he now only cared about the increase in points. Finally... [Points: 280] "Hah, 280 points for a single random ''pull.''" Ling Ke sneered inwardly, "It really reeks of that gacha game flavor." "So stingy!" Chapter 5 - 005 : The Second Game Character Template and the To be honest, Ling Ke didn''t know if it was because he was in the world of Honkai Impact 3rd that the "Number One Player System" had set the price for a single pull at 280 points. "Then... if I had crossed over to the worlds of Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, or Zenless Zone Zero, would it have been 160 per pull?" After Complaining this in his mind, Ling Ke gradually stopped caring. "It''s fine. There are plenty of people in this world. Points won''t be an issue." Hmm, a very cold-blooded thought. But that was all he could think of now. After all, he had become the "World-Ending Player." Having chosen this path, he wouldn''t half-ass it. Even as a villain, as a antagonist, he would be the best. Right now... "The system doesn''t have a pity mechanism, so there''s no need to save points." "Once I have 280, I''ll pull. The earlier I pull, the sooner I can use it. Maximizing benefits." Thinking this, Ling Ke quickly operated the system interface with his mind. Before long... [Game Character Template: Billy] [From: Zenless Zone Zero] [Character Traits: Level Mechanism, Health Mechanism, Infinite Stamina, Indestructible Equipment, Infinite Ammo, Physical Attribute, Assault Trait, Character Switch...] [Game Skills: Normal Attack: Full Firepower, Dodge: That Was Close, Dash Attack: Star-Light Judgment, Dodge Counter: Fair Duel...] [Background Talent: High-Intelligence Tactical Android for Area Suppression...] [Related Introduction: Full Name: Billy Kid, a robot with self-awareness, obsessed with a tokusatsu show called "Star-Light Knight"...] "Hah, I don''t need any so-called knightly spirit." "As long as he can fight, as long as he can kill." After reading the introduction of the newly acquired game character template, Ling Ke let out a cold laugh. Just then... [Notice: The game character templates "Anby" and "Billy" are from the same game and both possess the "Character Switch" trait. The maximum limit is three, allowing for team formation and activating more strategic options.] This was good news. Earlier, while the 999 "Domination Puppets: Anby" were on their killing spree, Ling Ke''s main body hadn''t been idle either, constantly exploring the various mechanisms of the "Number One Player System." He had discovered that, under normal circumstances, the "Switch Game Character Template" operation could only be performed within the "Rebirth Chamber"... that is, inside the Domination Theater. This directly followed the original settings of many games. However, if the corresponding game character template itself had the "Character Switch" trait, then multiple game character templates could be loaded simultaneously, allowing for free switching in the outside world based on the "original game''s settings." For example, if Ling Ke were to pull several game character templates from Genshin Impact in the future, they could form a team of up to five. Now, since both "Anby" and "Billy" were from Zenless Zone Zero, they could only form a team of three. With this premise, when operating outside the Domination Theater, the 999 Domination Puppets could instantly switch between "Anby" and "Billy." At the same time, the "Support Attacks" based on team formations also became usable. This was the true meaning of the system''s earlier notice about "activating more strategic options." Previously, the "Domination Puppets: Anby" could only dodge when facing close-range enemy attacks. Now, they could engage in a flurry of "clashing blades." Moreover, in Ling Ke''s memory, unlike Genshin Impact, where character switching had a cooldown, Zenless Zone Zero allowed for instant, cooldown-free character swaps. Thus... "Close combat with ''Anby,'' ranged combat with ''Billy,'' rapid switching. Most people would struggle to adapt to a combat style where the rhythm, moves, and attack range are constantly shifting." Ling Ke smiled with satisfaction, "Even ignoring the invincibility frames from ''clashing blades,'' this would be an extremely dangerous first encounter for the enemy." Thinking this, he immediately followed the system''s instructions, activating the "Billy" game character template and forming a team with "Anby." Instantly, all Domination Puppets gained a new boost in combat power. Coincidentally, at this very moment... "Hmm?" Inside the Domination Theater, Ling Ke''s main body paused slightly. Then, a maniacal smile spread across his face. "Well, well, looks like I''ve run into an ''old friend.''" "How lucky of me." Yes. At this moment, in a corridor within the West Asia Branch, a "Domination Puppet: Anby" was intercepted by three young women. They were members of the Silver Lotus Squad. And one of them happened to be the captain of this Valkyrie unit¡ªEdelweiss Even. In the vision of the Domination Puppet that was truly on the scene, the other party stood at the front, holding a pair of ring blades, her chest puffed out with an arrogant expression. Superficially, she could be described as "heroic and spirited." However, anyone who knew her true nature... "Surrender, intruder. You''re no match for me." "That face is quite cute. I wouldn''t want to damage it." Through the real-time sensory synchronization, Ling Ke, hidden behind the scenes, also heard Edelweiss''s words. He laughed. He had almost forgotten... Edelweiss''s sexual orientation... well, let''s just say it was very much in line with this world''s mainstream. But unlike a certain universally beloved "sapphic leader" he remembered... She... preferred to take things by force. She didn''t care whether the other party was willing or not. On the contrary, she loved "conquering" girls who would resist her fiercely. In secret, she had even come to see the squad she led as her own harem. Now, she had clearly set her sights on "Anby." But unfortunately... Buzz! Ling Ke remotely issued an order. Immediately, in the corridor where the "Domination Puppet: Anby" was located, numerous spatial gates opened in various positions. In just a few seconds, a full 100 reinforcement Domination Puppets appeared one after another. They were all currently in the form of "Anby," wielding black blades, and quickly surrounded the three members of the Silver Lotus Squad. !!! At this moment, including Edelweiss, all three members of the Silver Lotus Squad were stunned by the utterly ridiculous scene, their eyes widening in shock. Then, cold sweat began to pour down their faces. "This... teleportation?" "Isn''t the Herrscher of the Void at the Anti-Entropy Salt Lake Base?" "Damn it, who the hell are you?" The three members of the Silver Lotus Squad had long lost their earlier confident and arrogant demeanor. They were now shouting questions in a mix of fear and desperation. It should be said... "The efficiency of information transmission in this West Asia Branch base is truly abysmal." Ling Ke, who remained alone inside the Domination Theater, felt a sense of disdain. "I''ve already killed over two hundred people, and these three from the Silver Lotus Squad still don''t know that multiple ''Anbys'' exist." Honestly, if this were a war, the intelligence officer responsible for information would have been dragged out and shot by now. Suddenly... "Main body, the base''s control room has been suppressed by our side." "Huh?" Hearing the report from the quantum entanglement communication, Ling Ke was momentarily stunned. Alright. From the moment the "Anby" who replaced him in the underground prison started the breakout, to her encounter with over a dozen special forces personnel... until now, it had been less than ten minutes. In such a short time, the control room had already been taken... which meant the battle for the control room had started long ago. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No wonder the efficiency of information transmission within the West Asia Branch base had become so poor. Of course, if the higher-ups weren''t a bunch of incompetent fools, they might still have had a chance to react. But, as things stood now... "In the end, there are still a bunch of freeloaders sitting in positions they shouldn''t and don''t deserve to be in." Ling Ke sneered, his attention returning to the three members of the Silver Lotus Squad. Then, hidden behind the scenes, he directly issued an order: "Kill the two on the side, leave Edelweiss." Ling Ke added, "Oh, right!" "For the ''feast,'' only hands and mouths are needed... chop off her legs to keep her from running around." "Understood!" ¡Á100 Chapter 6 - 006 : As Everyone Knows, Anby is a Break Character Within Schicksal, A-rank Valkyries are granted the privilege of having "nicknames." For example, the nearly wiped-out "Snow Wolf Squad" from over a decade ago, aside from the S-rank Valkyrie "Cecilia Schariac," consisted entirely of A-rank Valkyries. These individuals all had their own nicknames. For instance: "Frostblade Swordsman" Cheng Lixue, "Floating Solar Flare" Shi Yuqiluo, "The Comb" Salome Jokanaan... and so on. Their nicknames were all related to their combat styles. Now, Edelweiss, also an A-rank Valkyrie, was no exception. Because her combat style leaned toward agility and versatility, and she was highly skilled with her pair of ring blades, she was given the nickname: "Spirit Butterfly." "Hah, if I didn''t know better, I''d think she wandered over from the Marvel universe!" Inside the Domination Theater, Ling Ke remotely synchronized the senses of a Domination Puppet located in the control room, rapidly browsing through classified information about the Silver Lotus Squad. At the moment, he wasn''t worried about the 100 Domination Puppets losing the battle. After all, in the original Honkai Impact 3rd storyline, even when the main cast was nearly fully deployed, it took them a lot of effort to eliminate the initial Domination Puppets, who hadn''t yet stolen any Herrscher authorities. What was the main cast''s lineup? Hua after "Awakening," Seele with "Starchasm Nyx," Kiana who had just begun to master the Herrscher of the Void''s authority, Bronya who had inherited the Herrscher of Reason''s core... Not counting the others, just these four alone¡ªwho among them could be challenged by a mere A-rank Valkyrie? So... "According to the records, among all the currently active A-rank Valkyries in Schicksal, Edelweiss''s strength is only mid-tier." "Even after the Second Eruption, over the past decade or so, Valkyrie armor has undergone multiple iterations, and the ''Time Fracture'' system has been added, her combat rating is still far below that of the strongest A-rank Valkyrie from back then¡ªCheng Lixue." Without a doubt, if she couldn''t even compare to Cheng Lixue, she stood no chance against Hua, whose physical abilities had now fully recovered. And so... "Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Inside the West Asia Branch base, in that not-so-narrow corridor, Edelweiss was desperately fending off wave after wave of attacks. The two B-rank Valkyrie squad members she had brought with her were already dead. There was no helping it. As mentioned earlier, the initial, unupgraded "Domination Puppets: Anby" already possessed combat power comparable to B-rank Valkyries, and now... there were 100 of them. Not to mention, they could also resurrect infinitely. Now, Edelweiss was drenched in sweat. As an A-rank Valkyrie, she certainly had the ability to defeat one or two "Anbys." But the process was nerve-wracking. For example, right now... Swish! As she dodged, her ring blades spun horizontally, swiftly slicing across the neck of one of the short-haired girls. Normally, a person hit by this would have their head flying off. But the short-haired girl in front of her only showed a faint shimmer of rainbow light where the blade struck. Then she swung her blade back, trading injury for injury. Faced with this suicidal fighting style, Edelweiss was utterly exasperated. "Tch!" Clicking her tongue, she narrowly dodged another slash, but didn''t dare to continue attacking. Because more short-haired girls were closing in from all sides. They all had the same face, the same outfit, the same weapon... Edelweiss felt that if she stayed here any longer, she would develop a phobia of crowds. No, before that, she''d have to worry about surviving. Clearly, Edelweiss didn''t know that Ling Ke, hidden behind the scenes, would temporarily spare her life. But for her, this wasn''t good news. After all, anyone with a bit of intelligence should understand a simple truth: in the face of a fully corrupted avenger, death... is a luxury. For a moment... "This is the broken aspect of the ''Game Character Templates''!" Inside the Domination Theater, Ling Ke, who had been watching the entire battle, couldn''t help but sigh. Currently, the Domination PuBilly besiege Edelweiss hadn''t even tried switching to "Billy." They were just using the "Anby" template... Health mechanism, infinite stamina, indestructible equipment. "Anby" had many "Character Traits," and these were just three of them. The previously mentioned "Character Switch" was also one of her "Character Traits." According to the system''s introduction, each game character template had its own "Character Traits," "Game Skills," and "Background Talents." For now, let''s set aside the latter two. The so-called "Character Traits" were actually various mechanics-based settings inherited from the original game''s "omission of realistic factors." For example, in Zenless Zone Zero, the game characters wouldn''t lose limbs or suffer fractures and blood loss during combat. Only when their HP dropped to zero would they instantly lose their ability to fight. This was the "Health Mechanism" character trait. As for "Infinite Stamina" and "Indestructible Equipment," they were even easier to understand. Since Zenless Zone Zero didn''t have a stamina bar or weapon durability, naturally, as long as they weren''t dead, they could fight until the end of time. Now, Edelweiss was facing a group of such "monsters." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Using tactics meant for ordinary humans to fight them, she was naturally in constant danger, as if dancing on the edge of a blade. The truth was, if Ling Ke hadn''t been intentionally using her as a training dummy to test the various traits of the game character templates, she would have lost long ago. "Has this woman not realized that, aside from the initial wave of attacks that instantly killed her two teammates, most of the Domination Puppets have been slacking off the rest of the time?" Looking at the scene, it was like watching a Hollywood movie full of post-production special effects, where the hero fights alone. A large group of onlookers surrounded her, but none of them attacked. Only two or three "Domination Puppets: Anby" were actually fighting. Their purpose seemed more like a precaution to prevent Edelweiss from breaking through. So, they were just there to keep her in check. Of course, Ling Ke had a bit of a twisted sense of humor. Because he had been slowly increasing the difficulty for Edelweiss. One initial, unupgraded "Anby" couldn''t beat her, so he sent two. Then three, four... "Huh, she can''t even handle four?" "You''re supposed to be an A-rank Valkyrie, right?" "Whatever, dragging this out is pointless." Ling Ke diverted his attention to the situation in other areas. "Oh, the other ''guests'' have already been found!" "Perfect timing..." He grinned, "Accept my ''invitation,'' Miss Edelweiss." "You don''t have the right to refuse." As soon as the words fell... Splat! A strange sound, like the bursting of blood plasma, reached Edelweiss''s ears. She didn''t know that from the moment the battle began, while she was fighting multiple "Anbys," there had been an invisible yellow progress bar above her head, slowly filling up. This was a special mechanic from the original Zenless Zone Zero game, called the "Imbalance Value." (TL/N: I''m not play ZZZ because the TV mode so I don''t know the true terms if its wrong) Once this progress bar was filled, the corresponding unit would be completely paralyzed, temporarily losing the ability to move. And the damage they received would also multiply. As for "Anby," her "Break Trait" had a bonus in this regard, allowing her to push a target into the Imbalance state faster. Honestly, if the current "Anby" template wasn''t only at Lv.1, and if the 100 Domination Puppets hadn''t held back, Edelweiss would have been Imbalanced long ago. It was at this moment... Swish! ¡Á2 In the corridor, two "Domination Puppets: Anby" suddenly appeared, swiftly passing by Edelweiss at an incredible speed. She didn''t even have time to react. In the next moment, she felt her body suddenly freeze... "Huh?" Her vision abruptly lowered. She helplessly fell backward, collapsing to the ground. In pain, she instinctively looked up, shifting her gaze... In her field of vision, she saw two severed legs. "AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" A heart-wrenching scream echoed through the area. But all around her, only cold, indifferent gazes met her. Just like how she had once looked at Ling Ke, helplessly curled up in the underground prison. Chapter 7 - 007 : The Ling Ke had changed into formal attire. Before tonight, he had been emaciated, as if a gentle breeze could knock him over. But now, after becoming a Herrscher, his body had regained its health. Better than ever before. Inside the Domination Theater, he had specially allocated a comfortable bedroom for himself. Now, he stood in front of a full-length mirror that had just been brought in, carefully adjusting his brand-new evening suit. In the past, he had never worn a tie. Because there was no need. No occasion called for it. But tonight, he wanted to present his most perfect self to all his "guests." So, he couldn''t be shy, couldn''t be rude. He had to be elegant! To that end, even things he wasn''t good at before, he had to learn properly. Fortunately, after becoming the Herrscher of Domination for this era, his learning ability seemed to have been amplified a thousandfold. After all, it was a thousand brains working simultaneously. By that calculation, knowledge and skills that would have taken him two to three years to learn in the past could now be mastered in a single day. From this perspective alone, perhaps in terms of "innovation ability," he was still far from those top-tier geniuses. But in terms of "learning ability," he was already unmatched. With this strength, he had made up his mind to enrich himself as much as possible in the coming days. Medicine, geography, astronomy, history, social skills, art... he wanted to learn it all. These intangible treasures could continuously improve his overall literacy. Even enough to allow him to undergo another transformation. By then, it would be proven that a Herrscher with brains was the most excellent (terrifying). Of course, these were all matters for the future. For now, what he was most focused on was... "Welcome... no, that tone is too flat." "Welcome, everyone... is that wording too verbose?" "Can''t lower my head when speaking." "Back straight, chest out, that changes the entire demeanor." "Gotta refine my gait too." In front of the full-length mirror, Ling Ke quickly learned how to tie a tie. A smile hung on his face, radiating unmistakable anticipation. He was rehearsing for himself. He... had truly gone mad. No matter how expressive his facial expressions were, as the window to the soul... those lifeless eyes of his would likely never regain their former focus. A dozen or so minutes later... Ling Ke raised his hands, like a conductor leading an orchestra, and within his Domination Theater, he carved out a luxurious grand hall. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Long tables, carpets, candlelight... it was very atmospheric. Dressed in his formal attire, he arrived at the grand doors of the hall. At this moment, several spatial gates opened. "You, what do you all want?" "I''m really just a scientist!" "Please, don''t kill me." ... From the various spatial gates, several individuals Ling Ke recognized as "familiar faces" were being forced forward by multiple "Domination Puppets: Anby." Stumbling as they walked, they continued to beg for mercy. One person was still missing... Edelweiss Even. She was being forced to undergo bandaging by the Domination Puppets. And... like the others, she too had to change into formal attire. A moment later, finally... Creak~ Another spatial gate opened, and Edelweiss, seated in a wheelchair, was pushed into the hall by a "Domination Puppet: Anby." Now, her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, and she wore a white evening gown. The skirt naturally draped down, making it impossible for outsiders to tell that she had lost her legs. At this moment, Edelweiss''s face had turned deathly pale. Her body was trembling uncontrollably. And it was at this moment... "Welcome to the Domination Theater!" Standing alone at the entrance of the hall, Ling Ke wore a gentle yet elegant smile, bowing slightly like an experienced butler, his hand gracefully extended in a welcoming gesture. This scene, he had rehearsed countless times. He held great respect for these "guests." After all, it was because of them that he had become who he was today. Now... "The ''feast'' is ready. It is my honor to personally host all of you." "At the same time, I am deeply grateful that you have chosen to attend." Ling Ke said with a smile. The guests exchanged glances. Had they really chosen to come here? Obviously, no... Shing! Not far away, several "Domination Puppets: Anby" were casually twirling their blades. Well, naturally, they had "chosen" to come. Seeing that the "guests" were all so well-mannered, Ling Ke smiled and stepped aside, making way, then gestured toward the interior of the hall. "Please!" A single word, spoken lightly. But no one dared to refuse. Before long, the "guests" entered the hall one after another and took their seats. Ling Ke moved to the head of the table but did not sit down. In fact, even now, these "guests" were still puzzled. They had no idea who this seemingly polite black-haired young man in front of them was. However, at a certain moment, Edelweiss, looking at Ling Ke''s profile, suddenly overlapped it with someone else in her mind... !!! She trembled even more violently. She instantly understood his true purpose. But before she could cry out... "Actually, today feels like a ''graduation'' of sorts for me." Ling Ke chuckled softly. "All of you here are the first batch of ''guests'' I''ve invited." "And each of you is a ''mentor'' I deeply respect." "Yes, over the past few years, it was all of you, at this special ''institution'' that is the West Asia Branch, who taught me so much through your actions." As he spoke, he picked up a wine glass filled with red wine. He walked slowly, first stopping behind Dr. Antonio. "Empathy." Then he moved to Dr. Aegis''s side. "Indifference to fame and fortune." Next was Dr. Moniz. "Integrity." The director of the West Asia Branch, "Supporting the weak with strength." "And..." Finally, he stopped beside the terrified Edelweiss, "Pure, simple compassion." Her breath hitched. Ling Ke continued to walk, saying, "You made me realize that these virtues, in this world..." "Are not needed!" He had returned to the head of the table. Edelweiss sat to his left. "I..." "Please don''t be impatient, Miss Edelweiss." Ling Ke smiled and tilted his head, interrupting her. He set down the wine glass in his hand. Despite having walked around the long table, he hadn''t taken a single sip of wine. Still wearing a professional smile, he slowly said, "To repay your kindness in enlightening me, I, though unworthy, have prepared a few small performances." "I believe tonight''s show will absolutely leave you all... unforgettable." At this point, he clapped his hands. This gesture seemed to be a signal. The grand doors of the hall opened once more. Everyone''s attention was drawn. One after another, gray-haired, red-eyed maids entered the room. They were all loaded with the game character template Ling Ke had just drawn. [Game Character Template: Lina] [From: Zenless Zone Zero] [Character Traits: Level Mechanism, Health Mechanism, Infinite Stamina, Indestructible Equipment, Electric Attribute, Support Trait, Character Switch...] [Game Skills: Normal Attack: Beat the Fool, Normal Attack: Chase Away the Idiot, Dodge: Smooth the Skirt, Dash Attack: Sudden Fright, Dodge Counter: Bunbun Revival...] [Background Talent: High Ether Affinity...] [Related Introduction: Full Name: Alexandrina Sabastian, affiliated with the Victoria Mafia... ahem, affiliated with "Victoria Housekeeping," a professional maid. As a maid, she excels at cleaning, whether it''s trash or enemies...] At this moment, a group of "Domination Puppets: Lina" each carried a covered tray, not walking but instead floating gracefully through the air. This was Lina''s unique way of moving. They gently placed the trays in front of each "guest." No more, no less¡ªeach person received three. After completing this task, the maids did not leave. Instead, five remained, standing beside the five "guests." At the head of the table, Ling Ke smiled and said, "Now, for the first small performance." "Please, ''guests,'' choose your dishes for tonight." "Of course, I won''t play games like blind boxes to mess with you." "That would be rude." Ling Ke gestured with his right hand, "It''s not too late for the ''guests'' to make their choices after seeing the dishes." "If you feel the portions are too small and you''re still hungry, you can choose ''all of them.''" "So, the first dish..." He snapped his fingers. The maids beside him smiled and lifted the first lid. In the next moment... Sizzle~ !!! The "guests" present all felt a wave of nausea. They instinctively covered their mouths, almost vomiting. But in front of Ling Ke now, they didn''t dare to vomit. Yet what they saw... On the plate was a dense mass of... cockroaches. All of them had their legs removed, just like Edelweiss now. They wriggled, struggled. They were still alive. (TL/N: diabolical.. damnn!) Chapter 8 - 008 : Malicious Lies Without a doubt, whether it was the three doctors or the director of the West Asia Branch, they had all been accustomed to a life of comfort. So, faced with this dense mass of cockroaches... "Everyone, relax, stay calm." Ling Ke smiled and reminded them, "There are still two more dishes to come. It''s not too late to hesitate after seeing them all." His words clearly offered no comfort. Because Edelweiss and the others knew well: If the first dish was this outrageous, then what came next... "The second dish!" Ling Ke spoke slowly, and the maids simultaneously lifted the second lid. "..." Sure enough, it was even more outrageous. Because the white and pink stuff was something everyone present was very familiar with. It was the tissue of a Honkai beast. Perhaps they had already braced themselves. When the "second dish" was revealed, Edelweiss and the others weren''t particularly shocked. They were even starting to wonder what the "third dish" would be. Could it be even more outrageous than Honkai beast tissue? Ling Ke continued to smile. He didn''t drag it out, quickly revealing the answer for everyone. "The third dish!" The maids acted in unison, lifting the final lid in front of each "guest." At this moment... ??? At the long table, everyone seated, including Edelweiss, showed expressions of confusion. The reason was simple. The "third dish" was far too normal. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was a few slices of meat arranged on a bed of greens. (TL/N: why it''s feel familiar?) This kind of dish could be ordered at any Western restaurant. A prime example of Dubai knife skills. Edelweiss and the others were puzzled. So, along with her, everyone turned to look at Ling Ke. But he just continued to smile, then gestured. "Everyone, please choose for yourselves." "I won''t interfere." He clearly had another purpose. He even added, "Tonight''s ''feast,'' I treat my guests with courtesy." "So, as long as the ''guests'' don''t act rudely, they can leave safely." "I hope you all understand my good intentions." At this point... "..." Dr. Antonio, seated to Ling Ke''s right, swallowed hard. He truly didn''t know how to choose now. Ling Ke clearly had malicious intentions. The first dish¡ªcockroaches with their legs removed. The second dish¡ªHonkai beast tissue. The outrageousness of these two clearly escalated. So, the seemingly normal third dish must have some hidden trick. But... The cockroaches, which were practically like eating shit, he couldn''t bring himself to eat. Forcing himself would definitely make him vomit. And that would be "rude." According to Ling Ke''s implications, being "rude" meant losing one''s life... death. As for the Honkai beast tissue... Eating that would be certain death. So... "Time is money." Ling Ke suddenly spoke, startling everyone. He looked at one of the "guests," "I think Dr. Moniz should be deeply familiar with this famous saying." As he spoke, his expression suddenly turned icy cold. The speed of this change was terrifying. But even more terrifying was... Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Ling Ke''s right hand flicked lightly, and five nearly invisible "threads" shot out, precisely wrapping around each "guest''s" neck. It was like they had been leashed with dog collars. After doing this, he even "kindly" tugged on the threads a few times, ensuring that all the "guests" present immediately understood one fact. Next, their heads could roll at any moment. "30 seconds left." Ling Ke said in a deep voice, "Choose one of the three, or take them all." "Time starts now!" As he spoke, he even took out a pocket watch and held it in front of him. Tick tock, tick tock~ At this moment, the grand hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The mechanical sound of the watch was particularly noticeable. And the cold sensation around their necks constantly stimulated the nerves of Edelweiss and the others, making their scalps tingle. Just like that, only a dozen or so seconds passed... Ding! Dr. Aegis was the first to act. He picked up the knife and fork prepared in front of him, quickly speared a slice of meat from the "third dish," and was about to put it into his mouth. But at the last moment, he hesitated and paused briefly. However, seeing Ling Ke''s ambiguous, meaningful smile. He still opened his mouth and ate the slice of meat. Until he swallowed it... and found no discomfort. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief. With him taking the lead, the others no longer hesitated. They all chose the "third dish." Seeing this scene... "Hah!" The smile on Ling Ke''s face grew even wider. And his smile made Edelweiss and the others'' hearts skip a beat. Then they heard... "How do you all find the taste of the ''third dish''?" "It was carefully prepared by me." Ling Ke''s lips curled slightly, "Of course, special thanks must be given to Miss Edelweiss." (TL/N: Damn I know this references) He looked meaningfully at the golden-haired girl, "After all, it was her selfless contribution that provided the most special... ingredients." !!! Edelweiss was stunned. She stared blankly at the slices of meat on the plate in front of her... "Ugh!" She quickly covered her mouth. Her expression was one of horror. Tears continuously spilled from the corners of her eyes. She didn''t want to die! She really didn''t want to die! But the thought that those slices of meat were actually... "Ugh!" Her body''s natural reflex was something she couldn''t resist. In the end, she still vomited. "Ah, what a pity." Ling Ke untied the "threads" around the necks of the other four "guests," leaving only Edelweiss... He slowly walked to her side, his right index finger raised, the tip connected to the last "thread." Ling Ke leaned down and whispered into Edelweiss''s ear. "Miss Edelweiss, why are you so excited?" He smiled and spoke in a volume only the two of them could hear, word by word, "Those were really just ordinary slices of meat." "Freshly taken from the cafeteria." "You..." (TL/N: lol they got Gideon treatment) She had been tricked. By this person in front of her, with just a simple sentence. She, she had thought she had eaten... "Please rest assured, I am very particular about etiquette now." "I wouldn''t serve ''dog food'' on the table!" !!! Edelweiss''s breath hitched. She, aside from her usual peculiar hobbies, also loved raising dogs. She had two in her dorm. She would even sleep with them in her arms. She understood the underlying meaning of Ling Ke''s words. "You, you''re not human! You''re a demon!" "You..." Swish! The hysterical curses came to an abrupt halt. Edelweiss''s head flew off her body. Blood gushed from her neck. Coincidentally, whether intentionally or not. The girl''s head landed right on the plate in front of her. Her eyes wide open, and it''s never close. Chapter 9 - 009 : What You Created With Your Own Hands... "Ah!!!" The sudden beheading of Edelweiss... her gruesome state instantly terrified the remaining "guests" present. As for Ling Ke... he had already moved away from Edelweiss''s seat, his clothes spotless. And as he moved away... Thud~ The headless body, devoid of life and thus unable to support itself, collapsed to the side. Perhaps it was a coincidence. Edelweiss, dressed in a white evening gown, had her blood-stained skirt lifted slightly in the process. Revealing the fact that she had lost her legs. In an instant... !!! The director of the West Asia Branch, seated on the other side of Edelweiss, immediately turned pale. Then, he too covered his mouth. In the end, he couldn''t hold it back and vomited. His commotion immediately piqued the curiosity of the three doctors across from him. The latter three knew full well that curiosity at this moment would surely kill the cat. But they couldn''t help it, instinctively leaning over to take a look... Just one look! !!! They hadn''t heard the whispered words Ling Ke had said to Edelweiss earlier. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This was clearly intentional on his part. Thus, the three doctors and the director only remembered Ling Ke''s loud statement: "Thank you, Miss Edelweiss, for providing the ''ingredients.''" Combined with the emptiness hidden beneath Edelweiss''s skirt... "Ugh!" They all vomited. Even though they had only eaten one slice of meat, they vomited up even their stomach acid. And at this moment... "It seems this ''feast'' will have to end early." Ling Ke''s expression was cold, "Although a few carefully prepared performances have been wasted, I won''t personally entertain those who are too rude." "That would be in poor taste!" With that, he walked straight toward the grand hall''s doors. The remaining four "guests" were now vomiting so much that they were weak all over, unable to even stand up. They could only watch helplessly as Ling Ke left. Until... Clap, clap! As soon as he stepped out of the grand hall, Ling Ke clapped his hands, issuing a command. In the next instant, one spatial gate after another opened within the hall. They all led directly to the underground prison of the West Asia Branch. In those cells were imprisoned experimental subjects who had suffered greatly. Among them, some were covered in purple patterns. Some even had parts of Honkai beast tissue stitched onto their bodies. Or had horrifying stitch marks on their abdomens, clearly missing certain organs. They were almost all brought to this base through the director''s shady channels. And Dr. Antonio, Dr. Aegis, and Dr. Moniz had inflicted too much... too much pain on them. Their experiences were no different from Ling Ke''s. Once, those so-called "people" high above would freely manipulate these "lab rats," treating them as expendable materials. But they seemed to have forgotten. Even rats can bite. "Enjoy the carnival of tonight!" At the entrance of the grand hall, Ling Ke narrowed his eyes slightly, maintaining a polite smile as he slowly closed the heavy doors. Through the last sliver of the closing doors, the scene he witnessed could aptly be described with a double entendre¡ªa demon hunter! ****** The West Asia branch of the Schicksal organization, with a permanent staff of over thirty thousand, was wiped out overnight. Well, almost no one survived... except for a lucky few. They were the Valkyrie squad known as "Red Wings," the only team other than the Silver Lotus squad that happened to be out on a mission the day Ling Ke became the Herrscher of Dominance in this era. When they returned to the base via shuttle... "This..." Bloodstains everywhere. Scattered, mutilated corpses. The members of the Red Wings squad, seasoned veterans of the battlefield, couldn''t help but frown at the horrifying scene before them. One of the younger, newly recruited Valkyries was so terrified that she collapsed to the ground, soaking her combat suit in the process. The captain of the Red Wings squad had no time to deal with this minor incident. She quickly returned to the recently landed shuttle and reported the situation at the West Asia branch directly to Schicksal headquarters. In fact, she had already sensed something was wrong when she failed to receive the usual navigation response from the base earlier. And now... Honestly, she didn''t even want to lead her team deeper into the base. If the scene at the entrance was this gruesome, what kind of hell awaited them inside? She felt that she and every member of the Red Wings squad would be left with psychological scars. About half an hour later... Schicksal headquarters, located on a floating island above the Mediterranean Sea in Europe. "What? The West Asia branch was destroyed? All personnel killed?" Durandal was shocked upon receiving the report from Rita. Recently, the man known as Otto Apocalypse, the overseer of Schicksal, had completely vanished. As the current strongest S-rank Valkyrie and a highly respected figure within Schicksal, Durandal had no choice but to temporarily take over the management duties. It was only after taking on this role that Durandal realized just how difficult it was to manage a world-class organization. She wasn''t cut out for this kind of work. Honestly, if it weren''t for Rita by her side, she would have botched many critical matters. Even with Rita''s assistance, Durandal felt that a single day in this temporary management position was more exhausting than a month of continuous battles against Honkai beasts. This was mental fatigue, with no relief in sight. And just at this critical moment... "According to the Red Wings squad''s report, half an hour ago, when they returned to the West Asia branch base, there were no signs of life inside. It was as if... everyone had been slaughtered." On one of the floating islands, Rita and Durandal were in the same room. Rita handed Durandal an electronic tablet displaying surveillance footage from the West Asia branch. The screen showed bloodstains and brutally mutilated corpses. When Durandal switched to the video section... Groups of short-haired girls swept through the West Asia branch base like a storm. Both Durandal and Rita could confirm that they had never seen these girls before. Moreover, there were many of them, all identical in appearance, physique, and fighting style. "Clones?" Rita speculated, "Is this the work of Anti-Entropy?" Durandal was equally puzzled. Fortunately, they didn''t have to wait long... At one point, a black-haired young man dressed in an elegant black suit appeared in the footage. He faced one of the surveillance cameras and gave a slight bow. "Greetings, self-proclaimed ''heroes'' who fight against the Honkai. Today, the ''villain'' you created has been born. From now on, I will be your opponent." The black-haired young man smiled naturally, spreading his hands as if he himself were a scale. "Question: Can the so-called ''beauty'' you aspire to surpass the malice in my heart? Let''s wait and see!" Chapter 10 - 010 : The Past Inside Schicksal headquarters, after watching the video that seemed like a "declaration of war," both Durandal and Rita remained silent for a long time. After a while... "Rita, immediately organize this information and share it with Anti-Entropy and World Serpent." "This..." Rita, who had been deep in thought, couldn''t help but ask, "Lady Durandal, sharing intelligence with World Serpent is understandable. After all, before the Overseer disappeared, he had already formed an alliance with their leader. But Anti-Entropy..." Clearly, Rita wasn''t entirely on board with this decision. But Durandal insisted, "Rita, I know that if Overseer Otto were still here, he would never agree to this. But I''m not Otto. I have my own way of doing things." "Understood!" Rita didn''t try to persuade her further. She turned and left to carry out the orders that Durandal had personally given, even though she considered them "immature." As she walked away... "This person..." Rita looked down at the electronic tablet in her hand, which displayed the image of the black-haired young man. She was a meticulous person, so she hadn''t forgotten that several years ago, after the third Honkai eruption, she had retrieved a special test subject from an abandoned Anti-Entropy underground base in the ruins of Nagazora City. And now... "The ''villain'' we created?" As she murmured these words, even Rita, who had seen the darkest sides of the world, couldn''t help but feel a mix of emotions. In the end, all her thoughts could only be summed up in a sigh. "Truly, fate plays cruel tricks." Her footsteps gradually faded away. Not long after... Anti-Entropy, North America, Salt Lake Base. After the "Sea of Quanta incident," the return of the leader, Welt Yang, marked the end of the radical faction''s dominance within Anti-Entropy. Now, Cocolia, the leader of the radical faction, was behind bars, while the conservative faction, led by Dr. Einstein and Dr. Tesla, had regained control. As for the newly returned second-generation leader, the master of failed negotiations, Mr. Welt Yang... He was busy training his successor. Bronya Zaychik. This young girl, who had regained her emotions, was his chosen heir. She was the new Herrscher of Reason and would be the future leader of Anti-Entropy. If nothing unexpected happened... "Bronya, sister." "Seele, were you just at the training room?" "Yes, I tried the highest difficulty today, but I didn''t pass." "Don''t be discouraged, and don''t push yourself too hard. You''re already doing great, Seele." "Mm!" In a corridor, the two girls happened to meet and walked side by side. As they chatted, they arrived at a room with an open electronic door. Inside, a loud, angry voice could be heard. "Those Schicksal idiots, I swear to¡ª, and that bastard Cocolia¡ª" Well, judging by the profanity-laden and extremely agitated tone, it was clear that Dr. Tesla was once again in a heated state. Bronya and Seele couldn''t help but peek inside... They saw not only Dr. Tesla but also Dr. Einstein, who was standing nearby, massaging her temples and sighing repeatedly. "What''s going on?" Bronya asked curiously. Noticing her arrival, Dr. Tesla took a few deep breaths to calm herself down, though it was obvious she was still in a foul mood. Welt Yang was also present. Seeing Seele with Bronya, he sighed and said, "Seele, could you please go check on the children at the orphanage? We need to discuss something with Bronya." Hearing this... "Oh, sure!" Seele, being a considerate girl, understood that some matters were not for her to be involved in at this time. So, seeing that Mr. Welt intended to send her away, Seele obediently bid farewell to Bronya and left on her own. It was at this moment... "Ah, it seems that in their eyes, you''re still just an outsider." A somewhat sarcastic voice echoed in Seele''s mind. Perhaps it was just her imagination... but Seele also sensed a hint of... small satisfaction in that voice. "Don''t say that, other me." Seele didn''t dwell on it and patiently explained, "Mr. Welt and Sister Bronya are both seasoned warriors. I can''t go and cause trouble for them." "Hmph~" A cold snort sounded in her mind, followed by silence. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In fact, neither Seele nor "Seele" knew that the reason Welt wanted to send Seele away was actually to... protect her. Because the news they had just received was far too gruesome. The inside story was far too dark. They were worried that Seele wouldn''t be able to handle it. As for Bronya... There was no other choice. She... was one of the parties involved. At this moment, still in that room... "Bronya, take a look at this." After Seele left, Welt closed the electronic door. He didn''t plan to let too many people know about the relevant information. Bronya... took the electronic tablet handed to her by Dr. Einstein without a word and carefully read through the series of intelligence reports sent over from Schicksal. Among them was the fact that the West Asia branch had been completely destroyed, as well as... the "villain''s declaration" made by that black-haired young man. "..." Bronya fell silent. At this point, Dr. Einstein added, "Based on the information summarized from these video materials and comparing them to the archives left behind by the previous civilization, we can preliminarily determine that he is the Herrscher of Domination of our era¡ªthe 10th Herrscher." The 10th Herrscher¡ªthe Herrscher of Domination. Or, it could also be called: the Herrscher of a Thousand. "He has no intention of hiding this identity. From start to finish, he has been acting in a high-profile manner." Dr. Einstein said helplessly, "Moreover, I infer that he is completely different from Kiana and the former Mei. He doesn''t seem to be influenced by a Herrscher persona. Everything he''s doing now is based on his own judgment." Without a doubt, this was the most difficult knot to untie. Bronya remained silent. At this point, the materials in her hands had already detailed everything about this black-haired young man¡ªLing Ke. In the autumn of 2013, he suddenly appeared in the territory of Nagazora City in the Far East. Before that, there was no trace of any related information. During the same period, he was captured by the radical faction executive of Anti-Entropy, Cocolia, and a few months later, the third Honkai eruption occurred. In April 2014, he was discovered by a Schicksal investigation team and transferred from the ruins of Nagazora City to the West Asia branch. Then began the tragic life of a test subject, which lasted until yesterday. The images and experimental records that flashed through the materials were enough to make one''s scalp tingle. Bronya saw Ling Ke''s photo. She remembered this person. Because back then, it was her¡ªbefore she met the "Mei-senpai" and "idiot Kiana" who would later change her so much and with whom she would grow increasingly close¡ªwho personally dismembered his limbs and brought him before Mother Cocolia. What happened after that, Bronya didn''t know. Because she was immediately sent by Cocolia to carry out another mission: to monitor the Third Herrscher''s vessel¡ªRaiden Mei. This led to the series of events that followed. Now, she was no longer the world''s number one assassin. She had close friends, a legacy, and Seele had been saved. But recalling all this now... "What exactly happened back then?" An inexplicable sense of foreboding arose in Bronya''s heart. Then, she looked at the other three people in the room... "Mr. Welt, Dr. Einstein, and... Dr. Tesla." Bronya said seriously, "Bronya wants to see Mother Cocolia. Right now!" Chapter 11 - 011 : Anti-Entropy had many bases established within North America. Cocolia, who had been imprisoned, was not held in the Salt Lake Base. Today, in the Yellowstone Base belonging to Anti-Entropy... In the underground prison area... Clang! The iron bars of a solitary cell were opened from the outside. A petite, gray-haired, gray-eyed girl walked in. She had curly twin tails and was dressed in a brown women''s suit. Her legs, all the way down to her feet, were covered by mechanical prosthetics. Seeing her, the person in the cell... "Bronya!" She... Cocolia, was clearly very happy. "Why have you come?" She quickly took a few steps forward and embraced the girl. Perhaps, only at this moment was her maternal love genuine. As for before... The maternal love that used her daughters for human experiments. The maternal love that installed biochips in her daughters'' brains. The maternal love that lived in luxury hotels while her daughters couldn''t afford cake. The maternal love that forcibly controlled her daughter''s body, making her harm her closest friend. Cocolia''s maternal love was something most people couldn''t handle. But now, she had lost everything and was no longer as reckless with human lives as before. Finally, she showed genuine emotion. Facing all this... "Mother Cocolia." The gray-haired girl spoke slowly, "We''ve encountered some issues and need to ask you a few questions. The situation is urgent, so we hope you can cooperate." "A new Herrscher has appeared." In just a few short sentences... "!!!" Cocolia''s heart skipped a beat. A new Herrscher? Related to her? Now... to be honest, she really didn''t want to hear such news. She knew exactly what she had done in the past. So, she didn''t want to see her image in her daughters'' eyes become even worse. But now... "Alright! Ask away." "Bronya, I''ll tell you everything I know." Cocolia released her embrace, but her hands remained on the gray-haired girl''s shoulders, unwilling to let go. She wanted to be closer to her daughter, even if only for this brief moment. It was at this time... "Years ago, when you triggered the artificial Honkai eruption in Nagazora City, you ordered me to capture a black-haired young man." The gray-haired girl asked directly, "I want to know, why did you give that order back then? What was so special about that black-haired young man? And where did you get the information about him?" Hearing these questions... "Huh~" Cocolia didn''t expect that the Bronya before her would bring up something from so long ago. But she quickly began to recall. After a long while, she carefully answered... "At that time, to ensure the success of the artificial Honkai eruption experiment, I had many informants stationed in Nagazora City." "It''s strange, though." Cocolia frowned, "That black-haired young man, who seemed to be from Shenzhou, was just an ordinary person, but for some reason, he knew in advance what I was planning to do." "He reported the relevant information to Raiden Mei... your Mei-senpai." The gray-haired girl''s expression shifted slightly, but she remained silent. "Unfortunately..." Cocolia''s expression became somewhat peculiar, "Perhaps it was because Raiden Mei hadn''t been exposed to anything related to the ''Honkai'' at that time." "Raiden Ryoma had protected her too well." "Back then, after meeting that black-haired young man, because she knew nothing about it, she didn''t trust him and chose to call the police." "After all, to a young lady who had never known the truth of the world, everything about the ''Honkai'' sounded too fantastical, didn''t it?" "And because of that, my subordinates intercepted Raiden Mei''s call to the police, and then..." "Heh!" The gray-haired girl in front of her suddenly laughed. The sudden shift in the gray-haired girl''s expression¡ªfrom a completely blank face one moment to a grin so wide it seemed to stretch to her ears the next, exuding an utterly deranged aura¡ªstartled Cocolia. Instinctively, her hands recoiled from the girl''s shoulders as if electrocuted. In her field of vision... "Heh! Hehehe! Hahahaha!" The gray-haired girl paid no attention to Cocolia. She was already laughing uncontrollably, her entire demeanor completely unhinged. She even clutched her stomach, unable to straighten up. "To think... to think it all started with something so ridiculous." "A clown! A clown!" "Ling Ke, you''re just a useless, pathetic, dumb (beep~)." "Self-indulgent, self-righteous... spouting nonsense about how beautiful the world is, only to have no one believe you in the end." "And then they sold you out, hahahaha!" She ranted hysterically, laughing and cursing at the same time, her mental state extremely unstable. By now, Cocolia had realized something. Her daughter... Bronya, almost never referred to herself as "I." "Who... who are you?" Cocolia took several steps back, her face pale. The thought that she had just... actually... "Oh, dear Co~co~lia~ Mom~." The gray-haired girl finally noticed her. She tilted her head at an angle that seemed like her spine might snap, looking over with a horrifying grin. "I even deliberately left clues, yet you couldn''t even recognize your own daughter?" "What a failure, a complete failure." "Is this your so-called maternal love?" "In the end, you''re just like me¡ªa genuine ''failure!''" At that moment... Tap, tap, tap~ The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor outside the cell. In just a moment... "You!" Outside the iron bars appeared another gray-haired girl. Bronya Zaychik. Behind her were several Anti-Entropy special forces members. And... A few "familiar faces" that Ling Ke would never forget. "Who are you?" Bronya''s first question was almost reflexive. After all, the gray-haired girl in front of her looked exactly like her. But as soon as the words left her mouth, she immediately realized. "You''re Ling Ke? That Herrscher?" Bronya had already confirmed the other''s identity. She hadn''t expected that the other party also possessed the ability to transform. She couldn''t possibly know that this wasn''t a traditional transformation ability at all. But rather... After annihilating over thirty thousand people at the West Asia branch, Ling Ke had drawn the corresponding game character template. [Game Character Template: Silver Wolf''s Dawn] [From: "Honkai Impact 3rd"] [Character Traits: Level System, HP System, Infinite Stamina, Indestructible Equipment, Special Abilities, Physical Core, Stun Core, Weakness Core, Time-Space Core, Character Switching...] [Game Skills: Normal Attack: Heavy Particle Cannon, Dodge: Void Flash, Special Attack: Explosive Impact, Ultimate Skill: Thunderous Strike, Leader Skill: Harmonic Resonance...] [Background Talents: High Honkai Energy Adaptation, World''s Number One Assassin, Firearms Mastery, Elite Frogman, High IQ (180), Stock Market Expert, Programming Genius, Top Hacker, High-End Gamer...] [Related Introduction: Full Name: Bronya Zaychik. This battlesuit is actually the formal dress she wore while in Anti-Entropy. The earrings were a gift from her "mother"...] Right now... S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Long time no see." The gray-haired girl in the cell stood in front of Cocolia, looking at Bronya with the same face, sneering. "Tell me, do I count as your dark past?" "A malicious entity you personally dragged into the initial hell, now returned from that hell." As she spoke, the gray-haired girl raised her left hand... Clang! A massive cannon materialized beside her. Its barrel pointed directly at Cocolia behind her. "Stop!" It was like a reflex. The real Bronya, in her panic, summoned her Heavy Bunny. The cannon on its side aimed at the gray-haired girl with the mocking smile. Behind her, a white-haired girl and another gray-haired girl also tensed up. Each of them gripped their weapons tightly. Seeing them... "Kiana Kaslana, and... should I call you Hua, or Fu Hua?" The gray-haired girl deliberately spoke loudly. "Huh? Where''s Raiden Mei?" "Bronya has found her Seele, but where''s your Mei?" "Oh, right, right..." "Mei''s with World Serpent!" At this moment, he was indeed the true Herrscher of a Thousand. Chapter 12 - 012 : The Debt Collector Raiden Mei. To be honest, she was the root cause of everything that had happened. Today, Ling Ke had learned the truth of what happened years ago from Cocolia. He hadn''t expected that all the suffering he had endured over the past few years, the endless darkness that could drive anyone mad, had all stemmed from a single phone call of distrust. Looking back now, it was truly ironic. "Should I say, this is the arrogance of a transmigrator?" "Thinking that just because I knew things in advance, I could accomplish anything." "Looking at everyone through a biased lens, only to end up suffering the consequences." Now, Ling Ke couldn''t help but wonder... If back then, he hadn''t been so arrogant, if he had chosen to live an ordinary life and left the chaotic Nagazora City early. And then, let Raiden Mei, ignorant of everything, be used as a pawn by Cocolia to artificially trigger the third Honkai eruption... Would his circumstances have been different? "Enough, dwelling on this is just adding to my troubles." "What''s the point?" In the Theater of Domination, Ling Ke''s true body sat alone in a grand hall designed to resemble an audience chamber, murmuring to himself. At this moment, he was seated on a high-backed, medieval-style ornate throne. He crossed his legs, one hand propping up his cheek, the other toying with a crimson crystal. Its name: the Gem of Haste! S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. (TL/N: Final Lesson.mp3) Yes, just last night, after he successfully annihilated the entire West Asia branch and cleared out all the filth in that auditorium, this thing had naturally appeared before him. Just like in the original Honkai Impact 3rd storyline... the key core to mastering the power of the Herrscher of Flame had fallen into the hands of the Herrscher of Dominance. However, the current situation was quite different from the original storyline. Because... "I''m not stupid enough to play the role of a delivery boy." Ling Ke''s goal was clear. "The inherited flames don''t need to be reignited." Next, he would take revenge on everyone who had caused his suffering over the past few years. Otto, Rita, Cocolia, Bronya, Raiden Mei... Whether unintentional or deliberate. Whether directly or indirectly. These people were all his targets for revenge. Ling Ke was well aware that if he acted against these individuals, he would undoubtedly attract more helpers. Durandal, who cared for Rita. Seele, who cared for Bronya. And... those who cared for Raiden Mei... there were far too many. But he would not back down, no matter who stood in his way. From now on, anyone who stood in his way would die. Of course, just like his actions at the West Asia branch, those not directly involved could simply be killed, granted a quick death. But for the main targets... Sorry, but unless he drove them to the brink of madness, Ling Ke wouldn''t let them off easily. Because he had already been driven mad. He wanted them to experience what he had felt. Even if they died in the process, he would revive them and continue the torment. As someone who had chosen to become the "World-Ending Player," he had the power to do so. So, today... Anti-Entropy, Yellowstone Base. "Don''t be so tense, I''m not going to kill her." "At least, not now." In the underground prison area, the gray-haired girl standing in Cocolia''s cell smiled eerily. Despite sharing the exact same face and appearance as Bronya, the gray-haired girl exuded an entirely different aura at this moment. It was as if she were a humanoid entity entirely composed of accumulated negative emotions, radiating icy malice without restraint. "You''ve all seen the information about me, right?" "If not, make sure to catch up soon." The gray-haired girl¡ªthis "Domination Puppet : Silver Wolf''s Dawn"¡ªglanced at Cocolia and sneered, "Don''t worry, I absolutely... absolutely won''t let her die until I''m convinced she''s repaid all her ''debts.''" As soon as she finished speaking... "Hum!" A spatial gate opened. Several hands reached out from within. In an instant, before Bronya and the others could react, Cocolia was yanked inside. At the same time, the Domination Puppet, who had taken on the appearance of the gray-haired girl using the "Silver Wolf''s Dawn" game character template, performed a light backflip and entered the spatial gate. "Wait, don''t go!" In that moment, Bronya, who was closest, lunged toward the spatial gate. After obtaining the Herrscher of Reason''s core, her once-paralyzed legs had fully recovered. Her reaction and movements were undeniably swift. However... Thud! She was instantly bounced back. Even though the spatial gate was right in front of her, even though the Theater of Dominance was just on the other side... Even though the gray-haired girl stood there, mocking her with a sneer. This spatial gate was an insurmountable chasm. At this moment, Ling Ke, hidden behind the scenes, confirmed that his Theater of Dominance, now imbued with the "Rebirth Chamber" trait, could indeed block all external threats. Because of this, he didn''t immediately close the spatial gate. It was under these circumstances... "What are you going to do to Mother Cocolia?" After being bounced back, Bronya was naturally shielded by Kiana and Fu Hua. But she was too frantic to care about herself. She quickly stood up and looked through the spatial gate, staring directly at the gray-haired girl who shared her face, her voice filled with urgency. To this... "Back then, you dismembered my limbs and brought me before her. For over half a year, until the third Honkai eruption, I was tortured by her subordinates, subjected to endless torment and cruel experiments." "And for the next six months, I will inflict every bit of suffering I endured back onto her." The gray-haired girl, synchronized with Ling Ke''s consciousness, grinned widely. "Back then, I gritted my teeth and endured it... it was really, really hard." "That pain, I haven''t forgotten a single second of it." "It''s deeply etched into my body, impossible to shake from my mind." As she spoke, the gray-haired girl''s body trembled slightly. It was a conditioned reflex. But the expression on her face remained deranged. Her words were even more... "So, if Cocolia can endure it, then after six months, I''ll let her go, and we''ll be even." "But if she can''t..." The gray-haired girl smiled dangerously. "The remaining debt will be repaid by those closest to her." "Like... her self-proclaimed beloved daughters. How about that?" Hearing these words... "Then let Bronya repay the debt." Bronya rushed to the spatial gate, pounding on it. "It was Bronya who acted back then. Let Bronya endure all of this..." "No, no, no." The gray-haired girl sneered. "I can''t give you such ''special treatment.''" "After all, you know full well that you''re also my enemy." "Why would I do anything to please you?" "In fact, the more you don''t want to see something happen, the more I''ll make sure it does." "Oh, and make sure to protect your sisters well!" "Because I have a feeling your ''mother'' might not last very long." At this moment, hearing these words, Bronya''s heart was filled with panic. She desperately tried to cross the spatial gate. Even... Clang! She activated the Herrscher of Reason''s core, her body flashing with blue light as she donned the elegant battle dress. Bronya was a highly intelligent individual. (PS: IQ 180.) She instantly recalled that in Anti-Entropy''s database, there were records of the previous Herrscher of Reason¡ªMr. Welt¡ªand his battles. Back then, in Siberia, facing the Herrscher of the Void''s bizarre powers, he had directly analyzed the spatial barrier set up by Sirin and broken through her defenses. But now... "!!!" It was useless. Bronya immediately realized this fact. It wasn''t that her abilities were insufficient, nor was she unskilled in using the Herrscher of Reason''s powers. It was that the Herrscher of Reason''s powers simply couldn''t analyze the invisible barrier before her. Bronya didn''t know that this was the power of the "System." A symbol of "absolute." For a moment... "It''s useless, don''t waste your energy." On the other side of the spatial gate, the gray-haired girl continued to mock. "Also, Kiana, how''s that sneaky spatial link coming along?" "..." Behind Bronya, Kiana, who had also been using her Herrscher powers, frowned. As the Herrscher of the Void, even though she couldn''t fully utilize her powers due to the other consciousness within her... Like Bronya, Kiana quickly realized one thing: "Even if I could use the full power of the Herrscher of the Void, I wouldn''t be able to break through this barrier." She, too, didn''t know what the "System''s" power was. So, Kiana speculated... "Does this mean that the later a Herrscher is born, the stronger they are?" She remained very calm, desperately trying to think of a way to break through. Then... "You say you''re an avenger." Kiana asked seriously, "But after settling this grudge, what will you gain?" Hearing this... "Ha, such an old-fashioned question." The gray-haired girl''s face showed a look of disdain. "It''s simple." "I''ll feel refreshed, my mind at ease!" "An unparalleled... sense of relief!" Chapter 13 - 13: Not A chapter (Raw Link) People asked me some Raw. perhaps I forgot to place it onto Synopsis.. well whatever Raw Name : ±À»µ,ÕâÊÇÎҵĸ´³ð! Raw Author : ÇôÐÄ Raw Link : https://www.trxs.cc/tongren/9677.html S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 14 - 013 : A Dilemma After leaving that blunt statement, the spatial gate leading to the Theater of Dominance began to slowly disappear. Clearly, Ling Ke was being malicious. He had deliberately slowed the process. After all, when he truly needed the spatial gate, it could open instantly. Closing it could be just as fast. He had even tried mimicking a certain Sorcerer Supreme from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, using the spatial gate to perform cuts. But that''s beside the point. Right now... "No, don''t!" Bronya frantically pounded on the invisible barrier, but she could only watch helplessly as the spatial gate shrank smaller and smaller. Until the scene inside the Theater of Dominance completely vanished from her sight. With the barrier gone, she stumbled forward, falling to her knees. She sat there, stunned, unable to regain her composure. Even now, after inheriting the power of the Herrscher of Reason... She was still powerless! Bronya knew full well that her feelings toward Cocolia were complicated. She knew that her "mother" had done too many terrible things in the past, causing the deaths of too many people. In Nagazora City alone, millions of innocent citizens had lost their families and futures because of her. But even knowing all this... Bronya didn''t want Cocolia to suffer. For years, her sense of justice had been at odds with these complicated emotions. Originally, after the events at the Sea of Quanta, with Cocolia imprisoned, she had gradually moved on from the shadows of the past. She could stop thinking about it. She began subconsciously comforting herself¡ªMother Cocolia had already been punished. But... The destroyed Nagazora City, and Singapore, which had nearly met the same fate. Could someone who repeatedly and recklessly triggered artificial Honkai eruptions, disregarding innocent lives, truly be considered punished just by being imprisoned? Bronya didn''t dare to dwell on this question. Yes, she avoided it. Because from her perspective, this was a dilemma with no easy resolution. She had thought that from now on, she could pretend this problem didn''t exist. However, with Ling Ke''s appearance... He wasn''t wrong. His existence, in essence, was a dark chapter in both Cocolia''s and her own history. Now, he had come for revenge. The millions of innocent souls in Nagazora City had no chance. But he did. He had become a Herrscher. "Seele!" In an instant, Bronya jolted. She remembered the final words left by that gray-haired girl. The other party''s target wasn''t just Mother Cocolia. There was also... "No, Bronya has to go back, to Seele... and to everyone else!" Bronya was completely panicked. Her heart was already tormented, and now she suddenly realized... the people she cared about were in danger! Too many questions tangled in her mind. So much so that she was now at a complete loss, her entire being like a lost soul. Even though she had already voiced her next course of action, her body, after instinctively getting up from the ground, kept pacing in place. Her state was heartbreaking to witness. Behind her, the Anti-Entropy special forces who had followed looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Fu Hua didn''t know how to comfort her. But Kiana stepped forward and placed a hand on Bronya''s shoulder. "Bronya, calm down!" The current Kiana, having gone through so much, was no longer the carefree, food-loving, sleep-loving, and coquettish-prone girl she once was. She had gradually transformed and grown into a steady and mature warrior. Her heart was no longer so easily shaken. So... "Don''t worry, we''ll protect Seele, as well as Liliya and Rozaliya. We won''t let them get hurt." "But you can''t lose your composure." Kiana said loudly, "Bronya, everyone will help you." "You''re not alone." Hearing this... "Kiana..." Bronya, her body trembling slightly, barely managed to regain her senses. She was about to say something when... "Hahahaha, It''s Show time!!!" "Watch out!" Fu Hua reacted with lightning speed, tackling Kiana and Bronya to the ground. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But the Anti-Entropy special forces who had followed... Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! A tall figure had abruptly appeared among the crowd, darting and weaving through the corridor. This "person" wore a red leather jacket and wielded two black revolvers in his hands. He showed no restraint, firing at full force! In an instant, bullets rained down, scattering everywhere. In just two or three seconds... Thud~ Thud~ All the Anti-Entropy special forces who had accompanied them were dead. Their bodies riddled with bullet holes, they fell one after another into pools of blood. At this moment... "Yes, you''re no longer alone." The figure in red¡ªthe "Domination Puppet: Billy"¡ªstopped attacking. He spread his hands, his mechanical index fingers hooked around the two black revolvers, and shrugged. "Companions, bonds... you all love to fuss over these things." "Well, how about this..." The red figure seemed to be laughing. He pointed at Bronya. "For your revenge... hmm, how about I make you alone again?" "That world''s number one assassin who once topped the ''Charon List,'' the one who struck fear into countless hearts... the Silver Wolf of Urals." As he spoke, a spatial gate quickly opened behind him. Stepping back... "From today onward, I will indiscriminately hunt and assassinate all active members of Anti-Entropy." The red figure seemed to mock, "Will you make this ''announcement'' public?" "I''m looking forward to your choice." "Hum!" The spatial gate closed. Around them, corpses littered the ground. Only Kiana, Bronya, and Fu Hua remained, silent. ****** Ling Ke was a malicious person. This had been emphasized countless times. So today, the dilemma he left for Bronya was equally cruel and heart-wrenching. He announced that he would indiscriminately hunt and assassinate all active members of Anti-Entropy. If this news were made public... If... "We currently have no way to stop him from doing this." If this fact were made known to all members of Anti-Entropy... Without a doubt, extreme panic would spread like wildfire within the organization. After all, not everyone had the resolve to fight the Honkai to the death. And even those with strong wills... they had families, loved ones, and cherished friends. Indiscriminate... those three simple words were chilling. Thus, a dilemma emerged. If the news were made public, Anti-Entropy would inevitably collapse. But if it weren''t... "Then how are we any different from Otto?" Time passed, and it was now late at night. At Anti-Entropy headquarters in the North American Salt Lake Base, Dr. Tesla was once again furious. "Damn it, that lunatic, he... he..." She didn''t know how to curse him. Facing Otto, a cunning fox who had lived for over five hundred years, Dr. Tesla could spout any kind of profanity. But when she learned about Ling Ke''s past... "He''s the ''villain'' we created!" In the conference room, Dr. Einstein, standing nearby, also felt a headache coming on. Karmic retribution. He was the "karma" left by Anti-Entropy and Schicksal. At this moment... "I''ve heard Mei mention Ling Ke before." Kiana suddenly spoke up. "Back then, Mei and I were in Nagazora City when the third Honkai eruption fully broke out." "She regretted not trusting him, not heeding his well-meaning warnings... She blamed herself deeply, believing that the disaster in Nagazora City was caused by her own ignorance." "At the time, we all thought Ling Ke had died, just like the millions of other citizens of Nagazora City." "Later..." "Later, Mei-senpai privately asked Bronya to help investigate this person''s whereabouts." Bronya, who had now regained some composure, tried to calm herself and spoke seriously. "But there was no trace of him." "He didn''t even have a single photo, and all the surveillance footage from Nagazora City had been destroyed. At the time, Bronya didn''t even know he was the ordinary person Mother Cocolia had ordered to be captured." After listening to their accounts... Seeing Bronya''s mood sink again... "Spread the word." Welt Yang, still the leader of Anti-Entropy, reluctantly gave the order. "Make Ling Ke''s... the Herrscher of Dominance''s ''announcement'' public, detailing the threat he poses." "Those who are still willing to stay must be prepared to face death." Clearly... In the end, he chose to cut off his own arm. He stayed true to his principles. Chapter 15 - 014 : A Venomous In the Theater of Dominance, in a certain room. This wasn''t a prison cell. The decor around it more closely resembled a room meant to house someone under house arrest. If one weren''t too picky, it would be quite comfortable. After being captured, Cocolia wasn''t immediately subjected to torture. For most of the day, she was left alone here, with no one coming to see her. Until... Click~ The door was opened from the outside. A black-haired young man dressed in a black suit walked in. At the first sight of him... "It''s you!" Cocolia instantly recognized him. There was no helping it. Even though several years had passed, the impression he had left on her back then was too deep. What an unyielding will... No matter how much they tortured him, even using truth serum, they couldn''t extract any information from him. To be honest, Cocolia had even started to admire that seemingly ordinary young man with no background. Later, if it hadn''t been for the many accidents during the third Honkai eruption, she might have even planned to keep him imprisoned indefinitely... She wanted to see how someone like him would break, how he would beg for mercy. Where was the limit of his psychological defenses? She had made it a personal challenge. So, she would never let it go. Without a doubt, that was just how she was back then. She had to win. To make everyone know that she was the one who was right. But now... "I never expected that a small figure like me would still be remembered by you, Ms. Cocolia. What an honor." The black-haired young man¡ªLing Ke¡ªsmiled as he approached, his eyes slightly narrowed. Only then did Cocolia notice that his pupils had no focus. He seemed like a lifeless corpse, devoid of vitality. Realizing this, the aura he gave off became even more terrifying. But even so... "What do you want to do?" Cocolia tried her best to stay calm and asked, "Take revenge on me?" She wasn''t surprised by this outcome. At worst, she would die... "Ms. Cocolia, no need to rush." Well, Ling Ke was once again telling someone not to rush. He continued... "Direct conversations save time and effort, no need to overthink." "Yes, I intend to take revenge on you. It''s my right to do so." He still smiled, as if the person who had suffered back then wasn''t him. However, the words he spoke next... "But the resentment in my heart isn''t so easily quelled." Ling Ke raised his right hand slightly, "So, if during my revenge, you try to seek an easy way out, I will be very unhappy." "What do you mean?" Cocolia frowned tightly. "Let''s set some rules!" Ling Ke smiled, "Physically, I won''t go overboard... not even a single bit more than necessary." "Back then, when Bronya brought me to you, in the first few days, you didn''t torture me. Instead, you helped me heal the dislocated joints in my limbs." "Whether that was genuine kindness or just a pretense because you hadn''t yet figured out my identity, I remember it." "So, in the next few days, while you''re here in the Theater of Dominance, you''ll receive friendly treatment from us." "But after that..." Ling Ke narrowed his eyes slightly, "From September 1, 2013, to March 28, 2014... I remember the time very clearly, a total of 208 days." "During those more than half a year, everything I experienced back then will be ''returned'' to you in full." "If you can endure it, you''ll regain your freedom." "But if you can''t..." Ling Ke turned his back and took out a photo frame. Inside was a photo of a happy time at Cocolia''s orphanage, taken by one of the Puppets of Dominance from Anti-Entropy. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ling Ke walked over to Cocolia and held the photo in front of her... "You, who call yourself a ''mother,'' must strive to live for your daughters." "Live until the end, live until you''re free." "Otherwise, who will be the next to receive this ''gift''?" "Shall I let you choose?" At this moment... "!!!" Cocolia trembled all over. The person standing beside her was a human with an elegant demeanor. But he seemed more like a demon wearing human skin. And this demon... Was one she had "created." Karmic retribution. Some say: If you harm others too much, it will eventually come back to you. Ling Ke had already struggled through his turn. Now, it was her turn. Cocolia bit her lip tightly. She knew that her original thought of seeking death had been anticipated by him. Back then, she had watched the interrogation sessions targeting Ling Ke. Her subordinates were truly "excellent." The methods of torture were endless. At the time, she had even praised them. "This is the fate of those who dare to defy me." That''s what she had said. Now, the tables had turned... "Well then, I look forward to our reunion in a few days." Ling Ke left the photo behind. He even "thoughtfully" left a dagger. Its purpose needed no explanation. Then, Ling Ke turned and walked toward the door. Finally, he chuckled meaningfully and said, "Ms. Cocolia..." "May you have sweet dreams tonight." The door closed gently. Inside the room, Cocolia stared blankly at the photo. Then she glanced at the dagger placed beside it. Her heart was in turmoil. ****** Ling Ke didn''t spend too much energy on Cocolia. For her... he just needed to check in occasionally when he had time and wait for the result. After all, in the next few days, even if Cocolia wasn''t physically harmed, she wouldn''t have an easy time. The psychological pressure was the "first course" Ling Ke had carefully prepared for her, something she had to endure. And this "delicacy" would accompany her from the beginning to the end. Continuously crushing her will. Until she, too, broke. "If someone had told me a few years ago that I could become this cruel, who would have believed it?" "Indeed, people should occasionally try to push their limits." Still seated on that high-backed, ornate throne. Ling Ke propped his cheek with his left hand, while his right hand swiped across a semi-transparent rectangular virtual interface floating in front of him. At this moment, the "Number One Player System" was continuously accumulating points. What this meant was self-evident. But Ling Ke had already chosen to become the "World-Ending Player." So, naturally, he wouldn''t wallow in self-pity or hesitate at this point, drafting half-hearted plans of action. Now, the entire human civilization of the Honkai Impact 3rd world was, in his eyes, just a "game." Among a group of NPCs, there were only a few key targets that needed special attention, ones that required careful handling. The rest were just monotonous numbers. It was during this process... [Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a new game character template¡ªDomination Puppet-1379.] [Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a new game character template¡ªDomination Puppet-1380.] [Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a new game character template¡ªAyako Mitsuzuri.] ... System notifications like these would pop up from time to time. Ling Ke didn''t pay real-time attention to them. Because he had already discovered that not all the game character templates he obtained through "gacha" were powerful or possessed strange abilities. Often, just like the blue-tier pulls in miHoYo games, the newly acquired game character templates weren''t useless, but they didn''t bring about any game-changing impact. For example, the recently obtained "Domination Puppet-xxxx" was as common as cabbage. It was the only game character template that could be repeatedly obtained. Its effect was just one: to increase the number of Domination Puppets. Other than that... Characters like "Ayako Mitsuzuri," though from the famous Fate series, were just ordinary background characters. As for these kinds of rewards... "Fine, I guess it means I have a few more ''faces'' to use." Yes, Ling Ke treated these game character templates as skins. In the future, if there were missions requiring infiltration into enemy ranks, they might come in handy. Suddenly... [Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a new game character template¡ªSixth Serenade.] "Hmm?" On the throne, Ling Ke was momentarily stunned. Then... "Heh!" He revealed a dangerous smile that could make one''s hair stand on end. Immediately, he began issuing orders... "All individuals currently carrying out slaughter missions outside, switch to the ''Sixth Serenade'' appearance." At this moment, Ling Ke was brimming with malice. "Otto Apocalypse, I know you''re in the shadows, preparing for the final step of your long-term plan..." "So, at this critical moment, when I make this move, will you respond or not?" Chapter 16 - 015 : We Are the Same Ling Ke felt that the original Thousand Herrschers weren''t evil or ruthless enough! That''s why they were just a "motley crew." But him... [Game Character Template: Sixth Serenade] [From: Honkai Impact 3rd] [Character Traits: Level System, HP System, Infinite Stamina, Indestructible Equipment, Special Abilities, Ice Damage Core, Freeze Core, Float Core, Time-Space Core, Character Switching...] [Game Skills: Normal Attack: Twilight Nocturne, Dodge: Raven Feather Dash, Special Attack: Lightless Tide, Ultimate Skill: Frenzied Night, Leader Skill: Shadow Veil...] [Background Talents: High Honkai Energy Adaptation, Kaslana Bloodline, Super Strength, Kaslana Gun Kata, Phantom Thief...] [Related Introduction: Full Name: Kallen Kaslana. Knowing she couldn''t change the corrupt Schicksal from within, she became the ''Phantom Thief Murasaki'' to help the common people...] Without a doubt, if he chose to load this game character template, what would unfold across the world would be... The former Schicksal Saint, "Kallen Kaslana," would become a butcher feared, hated, and cursed by the world. The hands of "her" image would be stained with the blood of hundreds of millions. At that time, Kallen, who had been dead for centuries and whose reputation had been restored by Otto after his rise to power, would be recorded in the history of this world as a figure whose crimes were too numerous to list, leaving behind a legacy of infamy... "Otto, Otto, your plan to ''charge the tree'' is to create a new timeline where Kallen is alive, a world that belongs to her." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But in this original timeline, if Kallen becomes an object of hatred for hundreds of millions..." "Will you just stand by and watch this become reality, doing nothing?" "What will you choose, Otto, the world''s most selfish pure love warrior?" Ling Ke was already looking forward to the outcome. To be honest, he couldn''t be bothered to overanalyze Otto. Right or wrong, good or evil, merits or faults... none of that mattered to him. Now, all he knew was that it was because this Schicksal Overseer set such a "fine example" that cruel human experiments within Schicksal became commonplace. Even normalized. So, no need to say more. It was just karmic retribution. Ling Ke also had no intention of seeking justice for other victims. Others'' suffering, others'' debts to collect. If they couldn''t do it, it was simply because they lacked the "power." He was lucky, so he could become a debt collector living for himself. Under this premise... Because of Otto, he suffered. So, he would take revenge. He would absolutely not let Otto''s plan to "charge the tree" succeed. You want to save Kallen, save your highest belief? Then I will completely destroy it, turning all your hopes into despair. "As long as I''m here, you won''t achieve your lifelong wish." "Struggle, regret, just like five hundred years ago." "Once again, because of your autocratic actions, Kallen Kaslana has been implicated." "Nothing has changed!" ****** World Serpent Headquarters. As a newcomer who had only joined the organization a few months ago, Raiden Mei had recently been working closely with Natasha Cioara¡ªalso known by her codename, "Raven." Over the past few days, relying on her formidable strength as the fully realized Herrscher of Thunder, Mei had successfully completed many missions. For example: assisting her teammates in investigating various Honkai-related incidents. Or: eliminating enemies of World Serpent. Today... "Well, if it isn''t our rising star!" "You''re really busy, huh? It''s so hard to get a moment with you." As soon as Mei returned to the headquarters, she heard a sarcastic voice. "Jackal" Cleo, another executive of World Serpent. In Mei''s mind, this was a true villain. What she had seen in the underground base in Arc City... the girls who had been transformed into inhuman forms, was proof enough. But now, this person was her colleague. "Do you need something?" Mei''s attitude toward "Jackal" was extremely cold. One could even say: undisguised disgust. Of course, "Jackal" knew the reason for this. But precisely because of that... "Recently, I discovered something very interesting." As "Jackal" spoke, she handed Mei an electronic tablet. "This is intelligence shared by Schicksal not long ago." "Later, Anti-Entropy updated it with additional information." "I think you''ll find it quite interesting." At this point, seeing Mei take the tablet, "Jackal" sneered and began rambling on her own. "To be honest, I originally thought you were very different from everyone here." "After all, you''re a kind-hearted, innocent young girl. Even though you carry the karmic debt of millions of lives from Nagazora City, it wasn''t your intention... You''re not really suited to stay in World Serpent." "But now... heh, I can only say, as expected of our Lord." "His vision, spanning tens of thousands of years, can indeed see through the essence of more things and people." "You are just like us." "No different!" "It''s just that you''ve been in the sunlight for too long, even forgetting that you''ve already been tainted by darkness." At this moment... "..." Mei remained silent. She saw a face that wasn''t very familiar but left a deep impression on her. Ling Ke. That black-haired young man who had suddenly appeared before her, warning her of impending suffering, and then vanished without a trace. She had thought that, like the millions of other innocent residents of Nagazora City, he had died in the full-scale third Honkai eruption. But now... "Captured by Cocolia, tortured for over half a year." "Later discovered by Schicksal''s investigation team, transferred to the West Asia branch, becoming an experimental subject like expendable material..." "Now, he''s become the 10th Herrscher of this era?" "And he''s taking revenge on everyone?" Mei tightened her grip on the electronic tablet. Crack~ The screen cracked under her fingers. It was clear that her emotions were anything but calm. In fact, the current Mei had changed a lot. Since she became the true Herrscher of Thunder again, and her Herrscher persona "Raiden Mei" disappeared¡ªor rather, fused with her¡ªher personality was no longer as gentle as before. But even so... "Because of my ignorance, my lack of trust... that phone call to the police was intercepted by Cocolia''s subordinates." "The person who captured him back then was Bronya!" "All of this was caused by me..." Mei was deeply unsettled. And just then... "Impressive." "Jackal" continued to mock. "You actually created a Herrscher with just one phone call." "Such experimental efficiency is beyond my reach. I have to say, I''m impressed!" (TL/N: indeed impressive) She crossed her arms and deliberately added, "Maybe if you put down your sword, you could become a top-tier scholar." "How about you try..." "Are you done?" (TL/N: damn.. so cold..) Mei coldly interrupted "Jackal''s" rambling. "If there''s nothing else, I''m leaving." With that, she didn''t even wait for "Jackal" to respond, turning and walking away. The electronic tablet in her hand was not returned. "Jackal" watched Mei''s retreating figure, the corners of her lips curling into a noticeable smirk beneath her mask. In her line of sight, Mei''s footsteps grew increasingly hurried. Clearly, the latter just wanted to return to her room as quickly as possible. Recalling the past... If it hadn''t been for Kiana back then¡ªthe girl who held the most important place in her heart¡ªduring the tragedy in Nagazora City, Mei would have likely fallen into darkness long ago. But she had Kiana. What did Ling Ke have? He was alone, with no one to rely on. Enduring malice from others, over and over. What kind of despair must that have felt like? Just thinking about it sent a chill down Mei''s spine. If the full-scale outbreak of the third Honkai eruption could still be blamed primarily on Cocolia, the mastermind behind it, then what about Ling Ke''s situation... No, it was precisely because of his existence... He had risked his life to warn her of crucial information in advance, and yet she... had chosen the wrong path. Her ignorance had harmed him. Indirectly, it had harmed the millions of innocent citizens of Nagazora City. She had had the chance to change everything. But she had missed it. Now, he had returned from hell, seeking his revenge. If it were an ordinary enemy, she could simply cut them down. But this person... was someone she had personally pushed off the cliff. She truly didn''t know how to face him. "Why did it have to turn out like this?" Mei''s heart was in turmoil. "What should I do?" Chapter 17 - 016 : One Person, a Thousand Roles Mei returned to her room. The living arrangements World Serpent had provided for her at the headquarters weren''t bad. But the room''s decor was rather plain. Recently, Mei hadn''t had the time or energy to spruce it up. So, aside from a bed, the only notable piece of furniture was a high-tech computer desk. On normal days, she would sit here, researching and expanding her knowledge. The Herrscher of Thunder''s abilities indeed required a deep understanding of physics to unleash their full potential. Today, Mei habitually sat down at the computer desk. Only then did she realize she was still holding the electronic tablet "Jackal" had handed her. Looking at the crack on its screen... "Sigh..." Mei pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling deeply in exhaustion. She set the tablet aside and turned on her computer. A high-end holographic projection screen appeared before her. Normally, she would open up materials related to "electromagnetic forces." But today, almost as if guided by some unseen force, she searched the pre-civilization archives within the base for information on the "Herrscher of Dominance." And then... "This..." Mei was stunned. On the screen, the displayed information clearly stated: [The Herrscher of Dominance, also known as: The Herrscher of a Thousand.] sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [The Herrscher responsible for the most human casualties in pre-civilization history.] The most casualties? Mei continued reading. [In the pre-civilization era, after the 9th Honkai Eruption, the Mu Continent sank due to the "pseudo-black hole" created by the 9th Herrscher, reducing the global population by one-sixth.] [At the time, although internal conflicts persisted within Fire Moth, the organization''s resolve to fight the Honkai reached its peak following this catastrophic event.] [However, even so, between the full-scale outbreak of the 10th Honkai Eruption and the 11th Honkai Eruption...] [Over 85% of the world''s cities were completely destroyed.] From a one-sixth reduction to over 85%? The numbers were horrifying. This meant that over 50,000 years ago, more than half of the global population had died during the 10th Honkai Eruption. That was billions of people. And now, the Herrscher of Dominance of this era had also emerged. But... "The records show that the Herrscher of Dominance in the pre-civilization era was composed of a thousand individuals of different genders, races, ages, and physical conditions." "But the Herrscher of Dominance of our era..." There was only Ling Ke. However, on this basis... Mei picked up the cracked electronic tablet and tried operating it. It still worked, though the crack did affect the viewing experience. She quickly pulled up the information shared by Anti-Entropy... [The ability to summon multiple combat units.] [Suspected transformation and disguise abilities.] [And... spatial teleportation abilities.] Indeed, it was completely different from the Herrscher of Dominance of the pre-civilization era. In the archives, the Herrschers of Dominance of the pre-civilization era each possessed one of the abilities of the previous nine Herrschers. For example: One Herrscher of Dominance had the ability to teleport, which fell under the domain of the Herrscher of the Void''s authority. But on this basis, they couldn''t construct spatial barriers. Their abilities were highly specialized. The other Herrschers of Dominance were the same. They could be seen as a thousand weakened versions of fully realized Herrschers. But the abilities Ling Ke had displayed... Beep beep beep~ The communicator on Mei''s person rang. Interrupting her thoughts. She took it out and looked... "A mission?" "Yes." The face displayed on the palm-sized communicator screen was "Raven''s." "I regret to inform you that your brief rest period is over." Without waiting for Mei to respond, she got straight to the point. This had been their dynamic recently. "A few minutes ago, someone attacked our laboratory in Giza City... The news came from ''Jackal.'' She''s already furious... Well, I guess I don''t need to describe it. You can probably imagine." "Yeah, it''s not hard to imagine." Mei nodded. "Jackal" had just been sarcastic with her earlier. "..." Thinking about "Jackal''s" sarcastic remarks, Mei fell silent again. "Ling Ke..." She felt deeply guilty toward him. Suddenly, she snapped back to reality and looked at the communicator... "Do you know who attacked the lab?" Mei asked. Hearing this... "Just as you thought." "Raven" didn''t beat around the bush. "I''ve seen the information too... Yes, it''s your ''old acquaintance.''" Hearing this answer... "Of course..." Ling Ke had come to the African continent. First, it was Schicksal''s West Asia branch, completely annihilated. Then, Anti-Entropy in North America, with Cocolia being taken. And now... "Is it my turn?" Mei felt utterly drained. As mentioned earlier, she had no idea how to face him. But... "If it were Kiana..." "Hey!" From the communicator, "Raven" called out, noticing Mei''s distraction. After that... "I''m fine." Mei''s expression grew resolute. "Wait for me in the hangar. We''ll head out immediately." She had decided to face him. Whether he would forgive her or not... She needed to express her remorse. Meanwhile, elsewhere... "Heh, she''s really decisive." Somewhere in World Serpent''s headquarters, "Raven" looked at the disconnected communicator in her hand and chuckled helplessly. "Is this young lady treating me like her chauffeur now?" Having also seen that information, "Raven," who understood why Mei was in such a state, sighed softly. "Forget it, I know you''re not in a good mood right now." "This time, I won''t hold it against you." ****** At the same time... The old Schicksal headquarters, Kolosten. Crunch! A blond man, who had been elegantly sipping high-end red wine, suddenly crushed the wine glass in his hand with a violent burst of anger. At this moment, an electronic screen displaying a live feed of carnage was before him. In the footage, hundreds of white-haired women dressed in medieval purple attire were laughing maniacally... pulling the triggers of their guns over and over. Wherever they passed, cries of agony filled the air, and rivers of blood flowed. Most importantly... All of them had the same face. The face of Schicksal''s Saint, "Kallen Kaslana." "You really are as reckless as they come, newborn Herrscher." At this moment, the blond man¡ªOtto Apocalypse¡ªwore an expression of terrifying rage. The one and only faith of his life had been defiled. For the first time in years, he felt anger... no, fury. Like a fanatic encountering a blasphemer. And this... Was exactly the outcome Ling Ke had hoped for. Chapter 18 - 017 : Father or Beloved? Choose! African continent, Giza City. The underground laboratory built by World Serpent here was ostensibly covered by an international company founded by "Jackal." Much like Shenzhou Pharmaceuticals in Arc City. Though the latter''s reputation in Shenzhou was already ruined. And today... "You guys really are something, risking your lives for a few hundred bucks a month?" From the first gunshot to now, barely ten minutes had passed. Over a hundred "Dominance Puppets: Billy" had completely taken over the place. Naturally, no survivors were left. Without a doubt, the core reason Ling Ke had sent the Dominance Puppets here wasn''t to seize important data or weaken World Serpent''s foundation. He simply wanted to lure certain people out. To that end, after the battle was over, the hundred or so "Dominance Puppets: Billy" simply rested on the spot. Some of them even gathered to play cards. Even though the surrounding area was littered with corpses. In this hellish scene, they laughed and chatted, completely at ease. (TL/N: Amon behavior ????) When Mei and "Raven" arrived, this was the scene they witnessed. The humanoid figures clad in red leather, resembling mechanical lifeforms, acted like a gang of thugs, treating the company founded by "Jackal" as their party venue. The air was thick with the smell of blood. As the two approached... "Yo, the main Character is here." One of the Dominance Puppets stood up and walked toward the newcomers. The other "Dominance Puppets: Billy" nearby also turned their heads to look. In an instant, over a hundred mechanical heads turned in unison. The eerie sight... "..." "Raven" instinctively took a step back. She was almost tempted to draw "Seven Thunders of Retribution." At this moment... "You..." Mei looked at the approaching mechanical lifeform... She knew, based on the information, that this was one of the transformed individuals of the Herrscher of Dominance. During the pre-civilization era, the Herrschers of Dominance could communicate with each other through "quantum entanglement," a connection that couldn''t be blocked by any means. In other words: Whatever she said here, Ling Ke could also hear. However... "Nice to meet you, Mei." "There''s something very important I''d like to discuss with you alone." For a moment, Mei felt as if she had been transported back to that evening years ago. Back then, her father hadn''t yet been imprisoned for economic crimes. She was still the young lady of ME Corp, always surrounded by flatterers. Because of a kidnapping incident in her early years, she was always driven to and from school by a chauffeur arranged by her family. One day, a strange black-haired young man suddenly approached her after she had been driven home by her father''s driver. He didn''t make any inappropriate moves. Even though, at the time, she had mistaken him for her father returning home and excitedly, without any hesitation, opened the door. Instead, he kindly reminded her, smiling: Be more careful next time, don''t just open the door for strangers. It''s not safe. After that... He introduced himself, told her his name. Then, he explained some knowledge about the "Honkai," and... specifically warned her that a woman named "Cocolia" was about to target Raiden Ryoma¡ªher father. He hoped she would relay this information to her father. Then, he left on his own. Perhaps sensing her nervousness and fear at the time. He scratched his head and didn''t even step inside. Just before leaving, he said: Be sure to stay safe! But later... "Why did he call me ''Mei'' so familiarly?" After closing the door, this question troubled her for a long time. Gradually, her curiosity turned into wariness. Ultimately, leading her to make what seemed like a normal decision, but was in fact a terrible mistake. She called the police. (TL/N: Pffttt) For the next few months, her father was busy and didn''t return home, nor could she contact him. This wasn''t unusual. Until... everything he had said came true. The final memory of that time was the image of a young man''s face, backlit by the setting sun, smiling brightly. "Don''t look so gloomy." "I hope the next time we meet, you''ll be happier." Now, back to the present... "Hum!" As one of the "Dominance Puppets: Billy" approached, a spatial gate opened beside him. Almost reflexively, "Raven" immediately assumed a combat stance. Mei also tensed up. However, the next moment... "Long time no see, Miss Raiden Mei." On the other side of the spatial gate, a black-haired young man sat cross-legged on a lavish throne, propping his cheek with one hand, smiling at her. But now... That smile was no longer warm. That tone was no longer friendly. When he addressed her, he used her full name and a formal title. His eyes were unfocused, and his smile seemed like... just a mask pulled over his face. No longer overlapping with the "him" from her memories. At this moment, even though she had grown stronger mentally over this time, Mei still felt a chill run down her spine. "I..." She opened her mouth slightly. "I''m sorry." "..." Perhaps it was just her imagination. But it seemed that when he heard her say this, the corner of the black-haired young man''s mouth twitched slightly. As if he had almost lost control of his expression. After a while... "Verbal apologies are the least sincere form of remorse, Miss Raiden Mei." "Of course, the current me doesn''t need, nor care for, your apology." Ling Ke''s smile remained. Seeing him like this, Mei''s heart was filled with mixed emotions. However, this feeling didn''t last long... "To me now, you''re just another test subject." Ling Ke said with a smile, "Yes, Miss Raiden Mei, let''s conduct an experiment." "Don''t worry, it won''t involve endless physical torment like what I endured." "It''s just a simple social psychology experiment." Without waiting for Mei''s response, he slowly stood up, elegantly raising his hands, his body resembling a human scale... "Kiana Kaslana, or perhaps you know her as: K-423." Mei''s heart tightened. Ling Ke''s words continued. "You once said that she is more important than the world." "So..." He looked at the visibly tense girl before him, the corners of his lips curling upward. "Don''t worry, I''m not so malicious as to place the ''world'' on the other side of the scale." "As for the opposing weight... hmm, I''ve got it." Ling Ke narrowed his eyes slightly. "How about your father?" "!!!" Mei''s eyes widened. The smile on Ling Ke''s face grew even more pronounced. "See, how fair." "Each side carries the weight of ''one person.''" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Make your choice, Miss Raiden Mei." "Choose one, and the other... will be hunted down by me relentlessly, day and night, without end." Ling Ke extended his hands, which were holding nothing, forward. "Who would you rather protect?" "Your father? Or the one you love most?" Mei remained silent. Seeing this... "Huh? Why the hesitation?" Ling Ke deliberately feigned a look of confusion. "Didn''t you say that Kiana is more important than the entire world?" "Logically speaking, your father is just an insignificant part of that world. You should be able to make a decisive choice..." "Enough!" "Raven," standing beside Mei, couldn''t take it anymore. She interrupted Ling Ke. However, just as she was about to say something... "You..." "What is it, Ms. Raven?" Ling Ke tilted his head to look at her, a cold smile on his face. "Do you also want to play a social experiment with me?" "!!!" With just that one sentence... Raven immediately understood one thing clearly. He knew about her. The double meaning in his words... "How does he know about the ''children''?" In that moment, with her weakness completely exposed, Raven didn''t dare say another word. She was now extremely worried about the safety of the "children." As for Mei... "I understand." Standing before the spatial gate, she raised her right hand. In her palm, a purple katana materialized. With a calm expression, she placed it against her own neck. Then, looking directly at Ling Ke... "Is this choice acceptable?" Chapter 19 - 018 : When Will Humanity Temporarily Unite? Mei''s choice didn''t come as a surprise to Ling Ke. "Heh!" Inside the spatial gate, Ling Ke, seated in the Theater of Dominance, let out a cold laugh. "People like you always think that dying will solve everything." "Such so-called sacrifices are just a way to escape reality while satisfying your own conscience... it''s disgusting." Ling Ke''s icy words reached Mei''s ears. Suddenly... "But, Miss Raiden Mei." His gaze sharpened as he asked, word by word, "Who told you that you could change the rules I set?" "This..." Mei''s breath hitched. "If you want to die, then go ahead and die." Ling Ke continued, his tone devoid of any emotion. It was complete indifference, and... disdain. "But since you''re prepared to ruin my fun, then... I''ll just deal with both sides!" "If you won''t choose, then I''ll force you to make a choice." He looked at the girl before him with a half-smile. "I''m curious, in this situation, who will you prioritize protecting?" "Kiana, who still has a mountain of unresolved issues and could fall back into the abyss at any moment?" "Or Raiden Ryoma, whose combat abilities aren''t top-tier and only knows some family sword techniques?" "Oh, right, Kiana is a Herrscher after all. She might be able to protect herself!" "Even if she can''t, she has so many companions around her... You can feel free to ''abandon'' her, the one more important than the world!" At this point... "No..." Mei was completely panicked. "Don''t do this..." Every word from Ling Ke was a dagger to the heart. Filled with malice. Unfortunately, the current Ling Ke was decisive. He continued speaking as if to himself, "Well then, let the game begin!" Inside the spatial gate, he took out his pocket watch again. "Miss Raiden Mei, from now on..." "You have one week to make your decision. Plenty of time!" Just like with Cocolia, Ling Ke gave Mei several days to think. This in itself was a form of torment... She couldn''t possibly make that decision. So... "Have fun!" As soon as he finished speaking, the spatial gate closed. Only then did Mei and Raven realize... All the "Dominance Puppets: Billy" around them had disappeared. As if everything that had just happened was an illusion. But, clearly... "You should know that guy wasn''t joking." Beside her, Raven spoke in a low voice. "I''ve seen people like him, those blinded by hatred." "People like that are utterly insane in how they act." "And him..." Raven glanced at the corpses around them. "He''s undoubtedly the craziest of them all." (TL/N: Crazy? I Was Crazy Once. They Locked Me In A Room. A Rubber Room. A Rubber Room With Rats. And Rats Mak-... Nevermind ????) "..." Mei didn''t respond. At this moment, the purple katana named "Key of Castigation" had slipped from her hand. Clearly, her mind was in such turmoil that she couldn''t even hold onto her weapon. For some reason... "I hope the next time we meet, you''ll be happier." She recalled the words Ling Ke had said to her back then. He had been smiling, his tone utterly sincere. But now, in contrast... "Have fun!" Those were the last words he had just spoken. He remembered. He remembered everything. And precisely because he remembered... He wouldn''t let this go. ****** Anti-Entropy Headquarters, Salt Lake Base. Not long after Ling Ke and his Dominance Puppets left Giza City, they received real-time intelligence shared by World Serpent. The sender was "Raven." Mei''s current state was not good. The internal conflict in her heart had left her mentally exhausted. To the point that... "A choice between two? I choose (beep~) his stinking (beep~)." Dr. Tesla was once again furious. But she quickly offered her opinion. "Why choose? Why not protect both?" "Our current combat strength isn''t that bad... Hey! Why are you all looking at me like that?" "..." At this moment, Bronya, Kiana, Fu Hua, and Welt were all present. Dr. Tesla had just returned from dealing with a group of North American politicians, so... she didn''t know... "Dr. Tesla, please calm down. I have some bad news I haven''t told you yet." Beside her, Dr. Einstein explained helplessly. "In fact, after the other party attacked the Yellowstone Base and captured Cocolia, Kiana and Bronya, who had encountered him at the time... their Herrscher powers are now unusable." "I suspect... no, I''m almost certain that the other party... the Herrscher of Dominance of our era, has the ability to steal the powers of other Herrschers." "What?" After hearing this news, Dr. Tesla''s eyes widened in shock. The truth was indeed as stated. Previously, when Ling Ke captured Cocolia at the Yellowstone Base, he deliberately slowed the closing of the spatial gate. It was during this time that Bronya, in her desperation, used the authority of the Herrscher of Reason to try and analyze the spatial gate that blocked everything. At the same time, Kiana was also secretly attempting to use the authority of the Herrscher of the Void to transfer Cocolia, who had already been dragged into the Theater of Dominance, back out. She even... tried to leave a spatial coordinate within the Theater of Dominance to allow direct access to the enemy''s base later. However, they never expected that there was a special power from beyond this world called the "System." As a result, their efforts were futile, while Ling Ke didn''t miss the opportunity to seize the authorities of these "incomplete Herrschers." Now, both he and all his Puppets of Dominance possessed the means to wield the authorities of "Understanding and Replication" and "Spatial Control." Moreover, the side effects, or rather the strain, of using these authorities would be borne by Bronya and Kiana. "Is this the authority of ''Domination''?" Dr. Tesla frowned deeply. "Speaking of which, doesn''t the 10th Herrscher have too many abilities?" "Space, transformation... and now the ability to steal authorities." "It''s like he''s cheating." She was extremely frustrated. After all, the main reason she had to deal with the North American government officials today was that... a large group of Domination Puppets had been wreaking havoc across the world. The number of casualties caused by this had already reached hundreds of thousands. The group, with the help of those incredibly convenient spatial gates, moved around as freely as a dragon. Anti-Entropy couldn''t track them. Even if they could, what then? They couldn''t enter the Theater of Dominance. They couldn''t kill all the Domination Puppets The enemy could always come back again and again. And their numbers... seemed to be increasing. In contrast, humans were flesh and blood with no second chances. Currently, global public opinion was on the verge of exploding. Including the North American government, high-level officials from various countries were gradually losing trust in these so-called anti-Honkai organizations. A flood of condemnation from both official and civilian sources was relentless. It was clear that those politicians didn''t want to bear the blame. Nor did they want to die inexplicably. So, they resorted to shifting the blame. Coincidentally, during this period, due to the public announcement of Ling Ke''s hunting declaration, many who were concerned about their own lives and the safety of their families chose to resign from Anti-Entropy... Now, Bronya and Kiana''s Herrscher authorities had been stolen. It was a crisis both internally and externally. Suddenly... Beep beep beep~ The communication device in the conference room inexplicably rang. Dr. Einstein frowned slightly. She seemed to have thought of something. Then, after exchanging a glance with Welt, they nodded at each other. Under the gaze of everyone else, they answered the mysterious call. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The next moment... "Everyone, long time no see." In the center of the conference room, a holographic projection screen formed. In the image, the figure of a blond man appeared. Although he had changed his outfit and hairstyle... "OTTO!!!" Dr. Tesla, who had already lost count of how many times she had reached her boiling point, immediately started cursing. "You (beep~) son of a (beep~), look at the mess you''ve made!" "I really (beep~) %£¤££@!" The Lobster Doctor was on a rampage. However, Otto simply waited calmly for her tirade to end, his expression unchanging. Clearly, compared to Ling Ke, who had long since lost his heart and now only had his obsession, Dr. Tesla, who still held onto her principles, was no match for someone like Otto. And now, precisely because of Ling Ke''s appearance... "My old friends, now is not the time for us to continue targeting each other." Otto waited until Dr. Tesla had exhausted herself before speaking slowly. "I believe the priority at hand is to deal with the chaos caused by the newborn 10th Herrscher." "He is very different from all the Herrschers we''ve encountered before." "So..." He smiled slightly. "Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, World Serpent..." "It''s time for us to engage in a truly meaningful collaboration." Chapter 20 - 019 : From a Thousand to Ten Thousand "Collaboration?" In the Anti-Entropy headquarters conference room, Dr. Tesla was furious upon hearing Otto''s proposal. "To hell with your (beep~) grandmother, who would collaborate with scum like you?" Otto still ignored her. In the remote projection, his gaze was fixed solely on Welt Yang. Faced with this situation... "Sigh~" Dr. Einstein sighed helplessly once again. She knew very well that Anti-Entropy really had no other choice at this point. So... "Dr. Tesla, please calm down." She tried to persuade her. "Right now, from the perspective of all humanity, we really don''t have the luxury to ''infight'' anymore." "..." Dr. Tesla wasn''t someone who couldn''t see reason. Of course, she knew that her "bedhead" colleague was right. But her fiery temper simply couldn''t stand the idea of working with scum like Otto... "You all discuss it!" Dr. Tesla walked straight to the conference room door. "Just tell me the results afterward." With that, she left without hesitation. Seeing her like this, everyone sighed helplessly. But everyone could understand Dr. Tesla''s feelings. In fact, it wasn''t just her... Welt Yang also had mixed feelings when facing Otto. After all, the latter was the murderer of his father. Everyone present had, to some extent, been schemed against or harmed by Otto. No one had a good impression of him. But even so... "Let''s hear it, your collaboration plan." Welt Yang took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions. Right now, he was standing here as the leader of Anti-Entropy. So, he would fulfill his duties. Seeing this... "Very well." Otto smiled. "Since you all are willing to collaborate, I hereby promise..." "Until the 10th Herrscher is completely eliminated, I, Otto Apocalypse, will absolutely not be your enemy." ****** Several days later. In a particularly dark room within the Theater of Dominance, specially designated by Ling Ke... "Ugh!!!" "Ahhh!!!" The chilling screams never ceased. This was a torture chamber. Cocolia''s comfortable life during the initial few days had come to an end. Starting today, for a total of 208 days, Ling Ke would, as previously announced, arrange for his subordinates to replicate everything he had experienced onto Cocolia. Of course, he was "considerate" enough not to restrain Cocolia''s freedom. At any time, if she wanted to give up, she could choose to leave the torture table and pick up the sharp dagger on the nearby table to end her life. But... That dagger was placed in front of a group photo. (TL/N: damn!) If Cocolia couldn''t endure and reached for the dagger, she would inevitably see that orphanage photo first. "If you choose to end your life, the remaining suffering will be borne by your daughters." These words would linger in Cocolia''s ears. Forming the most malicious curse. Its name: "Living." At a certain moment... "No, stop this, let me die! Let me die, ahhh!!!" In the torture chamber, Cocolia''s eyes were bloodshot, her expression terrified, her body trembling uncontrollably. Only now did she realize how much pain those people she had ordered to be tortured had endured. The pure physical torment continuously stimulated her brain nerves. Finally... "Let me die! Let me die!" Her mind began to unravel. She frantically broke free from the not-so-tight restraints, scrambling and stumbling to the table nearby. As if she had found a treasure, she grabbed the sharp dagger and prepared to plunge it into her own body. However... "!!!" At that moment, under the soft lighting that Ling Ke had "thoughtfully" arranged beforehand, she saw the group photo. Bronya''s expressionless face, Xing''s look of disdain, and the smiling faces of Rozaliya, Liliya, Seele... her daughters. At this moment, the dagger in her hand could no longer move forward. She collapsed weakly to the ground, the dagger still clutched in her hand. Tears fell drop by drop onto the back of her hands, which were barely propped up on her knees. A long time passed... Cocolia''s hands trembled as she placed the dagger back in its original position. Step by step, she returned to her "hell." At this moment... "Two hundred and seven days, thirteen hours, fifty-nine minutes, and fifty-nine seconds remain." (TL/N: LoL. it''s not even a day passes and she already want to suicide) One of the Domination Puppets coldly announced the time. Then... "Continue!" As his voice fell. The sounds of muffled groans and screams once again filled the torture chamber. Now, Cocolia had personally experienced what Ling Ke had felt back then. It was the most primal despair, like falling into an abyss, enduring the torments of a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, being poisoned and devoured by insects, with not a single ray of light in sight. She understood. Here... A peaceful death was truly a luxury. ****** Meanwhile, in the "Throne Hall" of the Theater of Dominance... [Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a new game character template¡ªDomination Puppets-13807.] [Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a new game character template¡ªVon Lycaon.] [Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a new game character template¡ªPuppet of Dominance-13808.] [Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a new game character template¡ªAileen.] As before, Ling Ke himself didn''t pay much attention to the live feed of Cocolia''s situation. For the "debt" she owed him, he only cared about the result. Leaving some suspense... savoring the anticipation like a fine wine was enough. Now, he had more, far more important matters to focus on. "Based on my estimation, after all the chaos I''ve caused, the three major organizations¡ªSchicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent¡ªwill either form an alliance or temporarily set aside their differences and grudges to deal with me." "And to ensure the complete elimination of me, the 10th Herrscher, the only feasible method they have, given that they can''t locate my true body, is to..." Ling Ke narrowed his eyes. "Present a bait they believe ''I absolutely cannot resist.''" Without a doubt, being able to think of this doesn''t mean Ling Ke is particularly skilled at strategizing. It''s simply because... this is how the original plot unfolded. Unfortunately... "Unfortunately, they don''t know that I have the advantage of foresight." As he pondered, Ling Ke raised his right hand, and a crimson crystal appeared. The Gem of Haste. In the original plot, this item was "gifted" to Kiana by the Herrscher of Dominance. Thus, the subsequent appearance of the "Herrscher of Flamescion" came to be. Otherwise, Kiana wouldn''t have been able to overcome the struggle with the other personality within her body¡ªthe Void Queen. Looking back now, it seems fate had arranged everything. Without the Herrscher of Dominance delivering the equipment, many things would have turned out very differently. That''s why Ling Ke chose to seal away the Gem of Haste. Never to take it out of the Theater of Dominance. "Ultimately, the Herrscher of Dominance in the original plot needed to plunder the authorities of other Herrschers to grow stronger." S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But I don''t need any of that." "Previously, plundering Bronya''s Herrscher of Reason authority and Kiana''s Herrscher of the Void authority was just a side benefit." Look at the situation now... The number of Domination Puppets spread across the world has reached five digits. At this point, calling him the "Herrscher of a Thousand" is no longer appropriate. A more accurate description would be... "Herrscher of Dominance - Herrscher of Ten Thousand" Yes. Not the original "Thousand," but the elevated "Ten Thousand." Because Ling Ke himself is the complete Herrscher of Dominance. Now, having lost trust in anyone, he neither needs nor is willing to share his authority with strangers. The strength of "Ten Thousand," governed by a single mind, is enough. Thus, there is no betrayal, no scheming within. Full cooperation, united against the outside world! It is under this premise that... "Previous threats against individuals were just small-scale skirmishes." On the throne, Ling Ke''s gaze sharpened. "Now, it''s time to ''declare war.''" Chapter 21 - 020 : Declaration! A Total War of No Retreat As mentioned before, Ling Ke now viewed everything in the Honkai Impact 3rd world as a game. So, with the mindset of a "player"... Back when he played certain hack-and-slash games at home, like the once highly popular but now declining Dynasty Warriors series... Would he feel guilty for the number of nameless soldiers he killed on screen? Or when he played real-time strategy games like Warcraft and Starcraft... Would he hesitate to annihilate the enemy''s faction? Obviously, no! He would only feel excitement, a sense of accomplishment. This is the state Ling Ke is in now. He is no longer a transmigrator who loves this world. He has become: an extraterrestrial demon. "Thanks to the gifts of the ''Honkai'' and the ''System,'' I now have the chance to command an army of ten thousand." In the Theater of Dominance, Ling Ke chuckled softly. "However, just over ten thousand troops aren''t enough." "Even if they can be infinitely resurrected, more is always better." "Otherwise, the efficiency is too low." "And the intimidation factor is insufficient." "After all, the game character templates I''ve drawn so far aren''t top-tier in terms of combat power." "Let alone planet-busting, even Kevin-level... or even Herrscher-level combatants are nowhere to be found." "So, since qualitative improvement depends on luck and can''t be relied on for now, we''ll have to make up for it with quantity." To translate the above: Keep killing, and kill on a massive scale. So... "To everyone in Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent, as well as any passersby who might accidentally see this video, good morning, good afternoon, and good evening!" On this day, a video message was simultaneously sent to all high-ranking officials and core members of the three organizations, across different time zones. In an instant... "To those who don''t know me, let me introduce myself." "My name is Ling Ke." "I am the 10th Herrscher of this era¡ªthe Herrscher of Dominance." "Here, I can clearly tell you an established fact, to prevent you from holding onto any unrealistic fantasies in the future..." In the video, the black-haired young man in formal attire was elegant in posture, but his smile was icy. His words were even more... "Although I don''t have a so-called ''Herrscher persona'' within me, and my judgment isn''t influenced by such things, I will absolutely never become a Herrscher who stands on the side of humanity." "From now on, I will take a series of actions to destroy all humans on this planet." "Yes, from the perspective of humanity, I am the villain, the criminal, the evil in your eyes." "But history is always written by the victors." "You..." Ling Ke smiled as he leaned closer to the camera. "Are you ready for war?" "I am fully prepared." "This war will be a fight to the death." The video ended here. "..." This video was seen by Otto, Welt, and Kevin. Their subordinates and comrades also saw it. Even within World Serpent... The memories of the dozen or so Flame-Chasers existing in the "Elysian Realm" were also informed of the relevant details. "Sigh~" A certain girl as dazzling as a flower, who was born to love all, let out a helpless sigh. (TL/N: damn author. don''t drag my wife here!) "Why is the world always so cruel?" "Because that''s the nature of humanity." In the Elysian Realm''s grand hall, a petite green figure sneered. "This era is no different from ours." She looked at the image of Ling Ke on the screen before her, her emerald serpentine eyes narrowing with intense interest. "Another monster born from malice." "Hmph~" Not far away, a tall figure wearing a mask turned and left. It was clear that this hot-tempered man was in a foul mood. Because Ling Ke''s experiences reminded him of a certain little girl from the past... The same kindness that no longer existed, the same severing of civilization''s hope. The only difference was that the latter was already a fact of history. While the former... was steadily marching toward that future. "Sigh~" Another sigh echoed through the hall. It came from an elegant, mature woman with a voluptuous figure and long wine-red hair. In her past life, she was the undisputed world''s top superstar of the previous civilization. But now... "War!" She sighed softly. "I wonder how many more will perish." During the same period in the previous civilization, the war between humanity and the 10th Herrscher resulted in billions of casualties. And in this era... Although there hasn''t been a catastrophe on the scale of the "Sinking of the Mu Continent," the abilities displayed by this Herrscher of Dominance are clearly far more formidable. "Humanity will definitely overcome the Honkai." Suddenly, a cool male voice rang out. It was a white-haired man. He was one of the rare few Flame-Chasers whose true self still existed in the world. Hearing his declaration... "Yes, humanity will definitely overcome the Honkai." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Someone repeated. "After all..." "There''s no other path to take." (TL/N: what define humanity? The MC already told them that he has no Herrscher personality within him which mean he is full human with Herrscher power. So.. can you still call him with the terms "Honkai"?) ****** After Ling Ke released his declaration of war, that evening¡ªwell, evening in the North American time zone¡ªSchicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent urgently convened a joint remote virtual meeting. The content of this meeting was no longer just idle chatter. Instead, they began to fully deploy their respective war zones. There was no other choice, as Ling Ke''s offensive was growing increasingly fierce. Today''s video was less of a declaration of war and more of a belated formal notice. It was under these circumstances that... "Currently, based on the real-time monitoring data we''ve deployed worldwide, we can confirm that the combat units controlled by the Herrscher of Dominance, Ling Ke, far exceed one thousand." "Their numbers are immense and continue to grow." "At this stage, the total has already surpassed ten thousand." "The Far East, North America, Europe, Africa, Australia... every corner of the world is under indiscriminate attack." "According to the analysis provided by our intelligence department, they are not employing traditional warfare tactics and have no intention of occupying any territory." "They are simply using their spatial teleportation abilities to carry out highly efficient killing operations." "Every day, tens of thousands of people die." (TL/N: damn! it''s like everyday he got 10k primogems ????) "And this number continues to rise." In the virtual meeting room, Amber, the secretary of Schicksal''s Overseer, was sharing intelligence under Otto''s orders. And every piece of news was a harbinger of doom. Among those present, the one who appeared the most composed was the leader of World Serpent¡ªKevin Kaslana. Because in his distant memories... the Herrschers of the previous civilization were exactly like this. Except for "her." As for the others... To be honest, even Otto was struggling to maintain his usual infuriatingly smug expression. Because the Domination Puppets rampaging across the world were still using the "Sixth Serenade" template. Those faces identical to "Kallen Kaslana," even if only for a moment, showing a sinister sneer, cut Otto to the core. "We must end this farce as soon as possible." Otto''s hands clenched unconsciously. Recently, his moments of losing composure had surpassed the total of the past five hundred years. This showed... Ling Ke had indeed precisely grasped the only weakness of this most selfish schemer. Now, compared to killing... He clearly preferred "breaking hearts." Chapter 22 - 021 : The Fall of Anti-Entropy Headquarters** As Amber had reported... Recently, Ling Ke''s operational tactics worldwide had mostly leaned toward "guerrilla warfare." In the process, he maximized the convenience of his spatial gates, initially equipping the Domination Puppets with game character templates that had high mobility, scattering gate markers everywhere. Under these favorable conditions, large groups of Domination Puppets would swarm out of spatial gates, each bearing the face of "Kallen Kaslana," and go on a killing spree. By the time rescue forces arrived, the area would already be drenched in blood. And the Domination Puppets, carrying the hatred of the survivors, would have long since vanished. This approach had been testing the nerves of the higher-ups. Especially Otto, whose Honkai-infused eyes were now bloodshot. However, they had overlooked a crucial fact. Namely: The reason Ling Ke had his Domination Puppets engage in guerrilla warfare wasn''t because he lacked frontal combat strength. But because it was a fast and easy way to earn points. With over ten thousand Puppets of Dominance spread across the world, their density would inevitably become scattered. But if they were to demolish buildings today, blow up bridges tomorrow, assassinate political figures in broad daylight, and then attack critical facilities in cities... all while governments were powerless to stop them... The world would eventually descend into chaos. Because the public would lose trust in their governments. And governments, in turn, would lose trust in anti-Honkai organizations. This effect would ripple outward. The overly developed internet of the modern age had become a double-edged sword. Because it would rapidly amplify related incidents, creating an unstoppable wave of public opinion. By then, Ling Ke wouldn''t even need to lift a finger. The various factions, accustomed to shifting blame, would turn on each other. Ultimately... Ling Ke, the Herrscher of Dominance who despised all of humanity, was a product of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy. The latter two had no shortage of scandals. No matter how they tried to whitewash these, they would be condemned. And thus, they would become the scapegoats for those who felt they were innocent victims. And Ling Ke, as the "World-Ending Player," would earn points as long as a single intelligent life died due to his actions, even if indirectly. In any case, this was just one phase of his ongoing operations. And when the time came for direct confrontation... North America, Anti-Entropy''s Salt Lake Base. Whoosh~ Unlike before, an enormous spatial gate opened dozens of kilometers away. Its appearance was instantly detected by the base''s scanning equipment. Instantly plunging the base into panic. Alarms blared... "Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Code red!" The broadcast echoed through every corridor and room in the base. Welt, Einstein, Tesla, Kiana, Bronya, Seele, Theresa, Fu Hua... Everyone was on edge. However, at the same time... "Switch to siege mode¡ª" A cold command rang out from outside the base. Clank! Clank! Heavy machinery rolled out of the spatial gate, baring its fangs. [Game Character Template: Siege Tank] [From: *StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty] [Character Traits: HP System, Infinite Energy, Infinite Ammo, Indestructible Equipment, Heavy Armor - Mechanical Unit...] [Game Skills: Vortex Shell, Directed Impact, Tank Mode, Siege Mode...] [Background Talents: Twin 90mm Cannons, 180mm Shock Cannon, High-Heat Tungsten Shells, High-Strength Cockpit Climate Control System, Holographic Navigation System...] [Related Introduction: Full Name: Crucio Siege Tank, an upgraded replacement for the Arclite Siege Tank, widely used in battles against the Zerg Swarm...] Clearly, in Ling Ke''s recent "gacha" sessions, he hadn''t just obtained humanoid game character templates. Although he still hadn''t drawn any high-tier Herrscher-level combatants... The Siege Tank... in the background of its original game, this thing was a weapon for interstellar warfare. They had once faced billions of Zerg. And now... "Fire!" Boom! Boom!! Boom!!! The deafening roar of artillery fire shook the earth. The Anti-Entropy Salt Lake Base was in chaos, with the ground shaking and mountains trembling. Inside the Siege Tank formation, a "Domination Puppet: Anby" wearing black headphones completely ignored the continuous explosions around her. Waves of shockwaves swept past her body, stirring her silver-white hair and pure black skirt... She remained unmoved. The bombardment lasted for over half an hour. The game character template with the "Infinite Ammo" trait was just that overpowering. Looking ahead now, the once-standing Anti-Entropy Salt Lake Base had been completely flattened. Everything happened too quickly. From the moment a large number of Siege Tanks were transported here through a massive spatial gate, to their transformation into their respective forms, and then the continuous, unrelenting bombardment... It all took less than half a minute. (TL/N: that''s what she said) In that half-minute, the Salt Lake Base, as the headquarters of Anti-Entropy, had no time to activate its protective shields. The combat personnel had no time to prepare their equipment or control their Titan mechs. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The hangar was destroyed. It was as if the enemy had launched a blitzkrieg, directly striking an air force base. The defeat was humiliating, leaving them utterly unprepared. Now, looking at the ruins ahead... It seemed that within the bombing range, there was no sign of life, no survivors. However... Buzz~ The "Domination Puppet: Anby," who had arrived as the field commander, used a spatial gate to enter and exit, appearing near the ruins of the Anti-Entropy Salt Lake Base. As soon as she arrived, another spatial gate opened beside her. From within, a tall figure with eerie dark purple skin and a single ponytail emerged. [Game Character Template: Widowmaker] [From: "Overwatch"] [Character Traits: Health Mechanism, Infinite Ammo, Indestructible Equipment, Immunity to Fall Damage...] [Game Skills: Widow''s Kiss, Venom Mine, Grappling Hook, Infra-Sight...] [Background Talents: World-Class Sniper, High-Strength Living Weapon...] [Related Introduction: Full Name: Am¨¦lie Lacroix, once underwent intense neural reconstruction, now a top assassin within "Talon"...] As soon as she appeared, she raised her left hand and pressed a button on the side of the advanced device she wore on her head. At the same time, she spoke coldly... "No one can hide from my sight!" In the original "Overwatch" game, this was Widowmaker''s ultimate ability voice line. In the game, when she activated her ultimate skill, both she and her entire team would gain a special vision. A vision that could see through all enemy units'' positions and their human movement outlines. Now... "As expected, it''s not that easy to wipe them all out." In the infrared detection vision provided by the "Domination Puppet: Widowmaker," the field commander, "Domination Puppet: Anby," narrowed her eyes slightly, looking down at a certain spot on the ground. There, several red humanoid outlines were running away into the distance. It was clear that there was an escape tunnel beneath the Anti-Entropy Salt Lake Base. And the direction it led to... "Great Salt Lake." (TL/N: WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT! ????) To the northwest of Salt Lake City in North America, there was a massive saltwater lake. In fact, the city''s name was derived from it. Since the survivors from the base were running in that direction... the related possibilities weren''t hard to guess. "So that''s why I haven''t seen the Hyperion." "It''s hidden here." Within the Dominator Theater, Lingke''s true form, hidden behind the scenes, slowly opened his eyes. He had been keeping an eye on the developments in North America. Not long ago, he had told Bronya that his method of revenge against her was to make her become alone again. And the first step of this plan was... to kill anyone affiliated with Anti-Entropy. Moreover, it would be an endless pursuit. In recent days, because the current leader, Welt Yang, decided to disclose relevant information, many people had resigned from the Anti-Entropy organization. The entire anti-Honkai organization had shrunk by more than two-thirds. However, even under the pressure brought by Lingke, some within Anti-Entropy had decided to stay and fight to the end. To be honest, their decision was actually correct. Because from the very beginning, Lingke had no intention of sparing anyone on this planet. Those who resigned from Anti-Entropy might not live much longer. At any moment, he, or she, these nameless extras in the original Honkai Impact 3rd storyline, could die in the indiscriminate slaughter carried out by the "Domination Puppet: Sixth Serenade," becoming points in Lingke''s hands as the "World-Ending Player." However, those who chose not to resign from Anti-Entropy might not live comfortably either. Like now, the number of casualties in the Salt Lake Base was hard to estimate. "Bastard!" In the underground escape tunnel that had already been discovered by the "Domination Puppet: Widowmaker," Dr. Tesla had just run into a subway car with Welt, Bronya, and a group of comrades. Before she could even sit down, she couldn''t help but punch the side window of the car. Just half an hour. Too many people had died before her eyes. And she... as well as her companions, couldn''t save everyone. Looking around now, many people were bloodied and exhausted. Two special forces personnel in standard armor were missing an arm. They didn''t even have time to bandage themselves, only using cloth strips to tie the wounds and stop the bleeding temporarily. Beside them, even the quantum robot that had always followed Bronya, "Heavy Armor Bunny," was carrying several injured who couldn''t move. She had just asked Heavy Armor Bunny to gently put down the injured... The car was already crowded. Kiana, Fu Hua, Theresa... as well as Seele, Rozaliya, and Liliya, these young girls, were all silent. Clearly, some of them were experiencing this for the first time. Among them, Fu Hua, whose body had somewhat recovered compared to before, was undoubtedly the one with the most experience. Because, during the previous civilization era, the Herrschers gave people a similar feeling. Even the once highly respected Captain Himeko, after becoming the Herrscher of Flame, mercilessly destroyed the entire Australian continent. The only exception... "Let''s go." Including Fu Hua, the silent crowd had their thoughts interrupted. Welt Yang, with a grim expression, said, "I have a bad feeling." "We need to get to the underwater hangar where the Hyperion is as soon as possible." "As long as we can escape successfully, we still have a chance to turn the tables." His suggestion was something no one would oppose. Immediately, the car, under Dr. Einstein''s control, began to accelerate. Moving along the tracks of fate, heading forward. Chapter 23 - 022 : The Hyperion Whoosh~ Whoosh~ In the long underground escape tunnel, a car was speeding forward at an extremely fast pace. Its speed had already reached the limit. Any faster, and there would be a risk of derailment. At this moment, Welt and Dr. Einstein were standing side by side at the control panel at the front of the car. Both of them were staring straight at the road ahead. Using the car''s headlights, they watched the tunnel walls on both sides and the tracks below as they rapidly receded. Today, the Anti-Entropy headquarters had completely fallen, and the survivors who escaped from the Salt Lake Base were only the less than thirty people in this car. Most of them were injured. In this situation, although Welt had just said that as long as they boarded the Hyperion, they still had a chance to turn the tables... But... 100% is a chance, and 0.01% is also a chance. How much of a chance is left? How slim is it? In a corner of the car... "Bronya, do you want to rest for a bit?" Seele looked worriedly at the gray-haired girl beside her. These days, the latter''s mental state had not been good. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On one hand, Cocolia had been captured, and no matter how complicated Bronya''s feelings were towards her, she would still worry about the safety of this "mother." On the other hand, after her Herrscher of Reason authority was taken away, whenever the Domination Puppets used it, all the burden would fall on her. Under such multiple pressures, she couldn''t possibly be feeling well. Add to that, today''s sudden assault... "It''s okay, Seele." Bronya forced herself to answer, "Bronya can still hold on, and..." "Now is not the time to relax." In fact, among Kiana, Raiden Mei, and Bronya, Bronya was actually the most mature in character. Because she had been exposed to the dark side of the world the longest. In a way, you could also say: the earliest. Because the earlier Kiana didn''t know her true identity. And Raiden Mei didn''t even know what "Honkai" was. It''s just that, no matter how incompetent Siegfried was, he, like Ryoma, was actually a good father. They had protected them too well. As for Bronya... Long before she was born, her biological father¡ªa corrupt officer¡ªhad died in Siberia during the Second Honkai Eruption. And her mother had also lost her life giving birth to her. As Ling ke had said, she was indeed alone from the very beginning. Now, she had Seele, Kiana, and "elders" like Welt, Einstein, and Tesla by her side. She was no longer alone. However... "I will make you alone again." Ling ke''s declaration of vengeance was something Bronya could never forget. And the reality was: he had indeed acted on it. Today, the Anti-Entropy headquarters had been destroyed, and countless lives had been lost in the process. To be honest, Bronya also had very complicated feelings about Ling ke. But now she understood clearly... Ling ke was the enemy. He wasn''t just her enemy, or Anti-Entropy''s enemy. He was the enemy of all humanity. So... "Bronya will no longer hesitate." The scent of blood wafted through the air in the car, and as she looked at the injured survivors scattered across the floor... the gray-haired girl, whose emotional center had long since recovered, had a determined look in her eyes. "Ling ke (Herrscher)." "Bronya will definitely defeat you." ****** Several dozen minutes later... The escape car entered a hidden transit base prepared by Anti-Entropy, and everyone quickly brought the injured to the underwater hangar there. The Hyperion. This floating battleship, which had been retrofitted months ago and equipped with the "Moonlight Throne" engine, was quietly docked here. The group quickly boarded the ship. Among them, Theresa, Welt, Einstein, and Tesla headed straight for the bridge. The injured were assigned to various rest rooms. Bronya, Seele, Kiana, Fu Hua, and others were helping out. There was some good news. Since the ship already had a number of active personnel responsible for daily maintenance in various areas, there was no need to worry about it being unable to start or operate normally due to a lack of manpower. Thus, in just a few minutes... Once everyone was in position... "Let''s go!" The previous captain, "Murata Himeko," was currently missing, so command of the Hyperion naturally fell to Theresa. Now, standing at the captain''s station, she waved her small hand... "Destination, Schicksal Headquarters." With the order given, the Hyperion''s engines accelerated. It slowly sailed out of the underwater hangar port but did not immediately surface. Instead, after accelerating to a certain speed in the Great Salt Lake... Boom~ Like a fish leaping through a dragon gate, it shot into the sky. Everyone knew that since the Anti-Entropy headquarters had been completely destroyed, they, the survivors, would definitely be pursued by the forces of the Herrscher of Domination. Although the underwater hangar where the Hyperion was usually docked was dozens of kilometers away from the Salt Lake Base... No one dared to underestimate the Herrscher of Domination of this era. Sure enough... Buzz~ Just seconds after the Hyperion broke the surface, a spatial gate opened on its deck. Welt and the others didn''t know. After the "Domination Puppet: Widowmaker" discovered their movements, Ling ke had already sent people here to leave a coordinate mark on the Hyperion, allowing the Domination Puppets to open a teleportation gate at a fixed point. So... "Next, just put on a show, let them leave, and use them as a different kind of transportation." "Once they reach the base where the three organizations have allied, this battleship will be our deployment point." In the Dominator Theater, Ling ke''s true form, hidden behind the scenes, gave this order. He quickly received responses from his subordinates. However, even if it was just for show... Buzz~ Buzz~ Buzz~ In an instant, more than a dozen spatial gates opened. From them, one after another "Domination Puppets: Anby" rushed out. And unlike the previous incident at the West Asia branch... These "Domination Puppets: Anby" were all fully equipped with three-person squads. Their backline teammates included "Ellen," "Lycaon," and "Rina." All S-class agents from "Zenless Zone Zero." "Too bad, even though I got ''Billy,'' I didn''t get ''Nicole.''" "And..." Lingke muttered to himself, "Did I stumble into a Victoria Housekeeping nest?" Oh well... These "Victoria Housekeeping Co." are pretty good fighters anyway. "Let''s kill a few people first to liven things up." Lingke sneered, "Otherwise, your sense of urgency really isn''t strong enough." Chapter 24 - 023 : The Reunion of the The Hyperion is not unique to the Honkai Impact 3rd universe. In the classic real-time strategy game series "StarCraft," there is also a battleship of the same name. The latter is also the flagship of the main characters. Of course, the Hyperion in front of us, even equipped with the "Moonlight Throne" engine, is still far from being capable of interstellar travel. This is a gap in technological advancement. However... "It really looks cool!" Now, Ling ke was sitting firmly in the catbird seat, and from the beginning, he intended to let Theresa and the others go, using them as "bait" to lure out bigger fish, so he had the leisure to pay attention to these trivial matters. Look at that sword-like silhouette, the ship''s body primarily in a holy white color scheme, and... the clean deck. "In reality, there''s no ''map scenery cannot be destroyed'' feature." "If it gets scratched, should I feel heartbroken or gloat?" Ling ke thought somewhat morbidly. At this moment, on the deck of the Hyperion, hundreds of "Domination Puppets: Anby" had gathered. With their appearance, Anti-Entropy had no choice but to send out their own forces to meet the enemy. Kiana, Bronya, Fu Hua... And even... Seele! "Hey, doesn''t this count as sending minors to the battlefield?" As both sides faced off, the Domination Puppets with the number "001" standing at the front sneered mockingly, "So Anti-Entropy is a terrorist organization, huh?" "F*** you!!!" A broadcast sounded from the bridge. A certain lobster doctor was once again roaring in a red-hot rage, "You, who indiscriminately massacre people all over the world, have no right to say that!" "Hah!" The "Domination Puppet: Anby" numbered 001 laughed, "So I''m the ''villain'' that everyone wants to beat!" "But you, don''t you aspire to so-called beauty and justice?" "Your moral bottom line is quite flexible." "Oh, no... you''ve long since lost your bottom line." "Otherwise, how could there have been the disaster in Nagazora? Otherwise... how could there be me now?" After these few short sentences, without waiting for any reaction from the others, the "Domination Puppet: Anby" drew the black blade from her lower back. Then, she pointed it at someone in front of her... "Bronya, did you think my words were just empty threats?" She sneered, "I said I would make you alone again." "And yet, you still dared to bring your little sister here?" "To bring her before ''us''?" As soon as these words were spoken, Bronya''s expression changed drastically. She thought of a terrifying possibility. Sure enough... "All units, target locked¡ªSeele Vollerei." "Roger!" ¡Á389 In an instant... Including the one numbered 001, a total of three hundred and ninety "Domination Puppets: Anby" all drew their blades and then... launched a group charge. As they charged... "Protect Seele!" Everyone on Anti-Entropy''s side immediately realized Ling ke''s intention to break their spirits. In an instant, as Kiana shouted, everyone on the deck shielded Seele behind them. Now that Mei wasn''t here, Kiana... who had recently been taken care of by Seele... of course, even without that, she would have actively tried to save those in need. Unfortunately, the onslaught of the Dominator Puppets came far too quickly. Before Kiana could even process her thoughts, the two sides were already clashing blades. A total of three hundred and ninety puppets were besieged. fewer than ten Valkyries defending the ship. The battle was intense. Witnessing this scene, within the first few seconds... "I''m dragging everyone down..." Despite wielding a massive scythe that looked incredibly intimidating, Seele herself shrank back timidly, her heart filled with unease. Seeing her like this... "I told you not to get involved, and now look what''s happened!" In her mind, the voice of the "other Seele" rang out. She spoke impatiently, "Hurry up, give me control of the body." "I''ll handle this situation." "Okay!" Recently, Seele had been watching her sister Bronya work hard to improve herself, and she too wanted to grow stronger. So, she often pushed herself, participating in the most difficult training sessions. And she absolutely refused to rely too much on the power of her other self. But now, she knew... If she continued to insist, she would only make things worse. She was, after all, a sensible girl. So, in the next moment... "Please, other me!" After a soft murmur, Seele''s demeanor changed drastically. "Hmph!" The once gentle yet strong girl now wore a sinister smile. "They''re just trash. What does it matter how many there are?" At that moment, the giant scythe in Seele''s hands disappeared. In its place, two blood-red floating claws appeared, hovering protectively on either side of the girl. Just then, several "Domination Puppet: Anby" broke through the front line of defense... Swish The "other Seele" sneered, mercilessly swinging her claws. She had thought this strike would easily take out these trash who dared to target and harm Seele. Unfortunately... Clang! "!!!" In the "other Seele''s" shocked gaze, accompanied by the sound of metal clashing, her attack... was blocked. (TL/N: Lol. Who trash now? ????) Beside the short-haired girls wielding black blades... another, completely different figure suddenly flashed into view. This was a girl with short black-and-red hair, wearing a maid-style dress, and... a shark tail growing from her back. A member of Victoria Housekeeping, the shark-girl¡ªEllen. Now, as she took the field, the "Anby" puppets faded into the background. "Tch~" The "Domination Puppet: Ellen" clicked her tongue in annoyance, revealing her sharp, saw-like silver teeth. The giant scissors in her hands, shaped like a shark''s dorsal fin, not only deflected the "other Seele''s" claw attack but also planted them into the ground, using the momentum to pivot and counterattack in one fluid motion. And she wasn''t the only one doing this. "Who are you calling trash?" ¡Á7 Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The cold voices overlapped, echoing in their ears. The "other Seele" narrowed her eyes, her expression turning dangerous. At this moment... "Not good!" Bronya had already chosen to fall back the moment she realized their defensive line had been breached. In fact, as soon as she retreated, a larger gap opened in their formation. But this was her instinctive choice. It seemed that, just like her sister Mei, in Bronya''s heart, Seele was more important than the world. "Heavy Armor Bunny!" Bronya was clearly flustered by her concern. Even though the "other Seele" could handle this... She still summoned her quantum robot to her "little sister''s" side. Then, with a punch to the ground... Boom! This shockwave attack could easily repel the incoming enemies. If the "Domination Puppet: Ellen" puppets took this hit head-on, even if they weren''t injured, they would have to regroup. But Bronya didn''t know... The game character templates from "Zenless Zone Zero" operated in three-person squads. And they could not only "block" but also "dodge." In an instant... Whoosh~ Several "Ellen" puppets didn''t retreat. As Bronya''s attack approached, another figure flashed into view beside them. "Troublesome... leave it to me!" This was a tall, gray-haired woman also dressed in a maid outfit. However, her maid dress had a long skirt. But it was slit on one side, revealing a glimpse of her white-stockinged legs... In this critical moment, no one had the leisure to appreciate this kind of "scenery." Because, as the "Ellen" puppets faded away, the newly arrived "Rina" smirked and launched a massive lightning ball. Upon closer inspection, one could see two special "dolls" inside it. These were "Rina''s" unique combat puppets. They spun around each other, advancing at incredible speed. In an instant, seven lightning balls shot toward the "other Seele" and the Heavy Armor Bunny beside her. The two were ready to face the attack. Heavy Armor Bunny instantly deployed several floating shields, its mechanical arms guarding the "other Seele" on either side. Boom! The seven lightning balls struck, causing a violent explosion. But they didn''t break through Heavy Armor Bunny''s defenses. Even so... "Bronya!!!" In her mind, the "other Seele" heard Seele''s cry. She instinctively turned her head... and sure enough, because Heavy Armor Bunny had been moved, Bronya''s combat power had greatly diminished. She could no longer use the Herrscher of Reason''s authority, and even though her past skills as the world''s top assassin had returned along with the sensation in her legs... The enemies Bronya was facing were simply too troublesome. It had to be said that Ling ke''s plan was to create a diversion. Now, even if he was just putting on a show, he would make sure his subordinates performed convincingly. And so... Whoosh whoosh whoosh~ More Domination Puppets began to swarm Bronya. She had already been flustered by her concern, leaving her position and becoming isolated. The others, too, were being held back by other Domination Puppets, thanks to Ling ke''s careful planning. Clang! On Anti-Entropy''s side, Fu Hua, who had the strongest combat power in her normal state, tried to rely on brute force to charge forward, throwing a punch at one of the "Domination Puppet: Anby"... but it missed, and a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of her. He had a human body, a beast''s head, a wolf''s tail, and fur that was white with black highlights. His eyes were sharp, and his demeanor was meticulous. Dressed in a butler''s outfit, he exuded an air of elegance. The wolf-man, Lycaon. In the world of "Zenless Zone Zero," he was also a member of the "Victoria Housekeeping" faction, the leader whom Ellen referred to as "boss." Clearly, some of the "Domination Puppet: Anby" squads weren''t composed of "Ellen + Rina." Now... "Move!" "I''m sorry, guest, but the path ahead is closed." Lycaon politely stated a fact that was anything but friendly to Fu Hua. His hard black prosthetic leg, specialized for kicking, clashed with Fu Hua''s straight punch. The two were locked in a stalemate. "Indeed, the ''blocking'' mechanic from ''Zenless Zone Zero'' is perfect for stalling enemies at critical moments." "This efficiency can even make up for large level gaps." In the Dominator Theater, hidden behind the scenes, Ling ke made this tactical assessment in real time. "Then..." The corner of his mouth curled into a noticeable smirk. On the deck of the Hyperion... Seizing the rare opportunity, the "Domination Puppet: Anby" numbered 001 suddenly raised her left hand, fingers curled like claws, and made a grasping motion toward Bronya, who was isolated and out of position. Swish~ Invisible "threads" wrapped around Bronya. The "threads," like the "spatial gates," were abilities originally possessed by the Herrscher of Domination. So, no matter which game character template was used, they could all employ this power. At this moment, Bronya''s limbs were instantly bound, completely immobilizing her. Just like that, she was being dragged away by the Dominator Puppet numbered 001... "Bronya!" "Big sister Bronya!" Nearby, Kiana, Seele, and the others, who were unable to break free, all showed expressions of extreme anxiety. Even from the distant bridge at the rear... Crash~ Unable to sit still any longer, Theresa grabbed the Oath of Judah cross beside her and smashed through the transparent shield at the front of the bridge, charging forward. She couldn''t let Bronya be taken away too. She had to protect her student. But just as Domination Puppet 001 opened a spatial gate and was about to pull Bronya inside... Crack~ A violent red lightning bolt descended from the sky. In an instant... Swish~ A blade''s light flashed, severing all the "threads" binding Bronya. Electric arcs surged, radiating an aura of dominance. At the same time... Roar! The crimson dragon-like Honkai beast¡ªKurikara¡ªlanded on the deck. With its furious roar, numerous Domination Puppets were sent flying by the shockwave. Some of the lower-level puppets even had their health bars instantly depleted. This sudden turn of events stunned everyone on the scene. Even Ling ke, hidden behind the scenes, showed a flicker of emotion. "She''s here!" His gaze sharpened, "Heh, did I just make you all reunite ahead of time?" On the deck of the Hyperion, a purple-haired girl stood with her blade, positioned between Bronya and Domination Puppet 001. Seeing that all-too-familiar figure, Kiana, whose combat pressure had suddenly lessened, trembled slightly... "Mei!" Chapter 25 - 024 : The Approaching... Malice of the World Hearing the trembling call from behind, Raiden Mei paused slightly. Even though the battle wasn''t over yet, she still turned her head to look at the white-haired girl, whose eyes were filled with hope... Without a doubt, at this moment, her eyes were only on her. (TL/N: Yuri goes Brrrrrr) "Long time no see, Kiana." Raiden Mei seemed to smile. But the smile didn''t last long. "It seems you''ve made your choice." Ahead, one after another, the Domination Puppets were dissipating. Their levels weren''t particularly high, so their health pools were limited. The roar from Kurikara had just wiped out a large portion of them like cannon fodder. Of course, this outcome was something Ling ke, hidden behind the scenes, had anticipated. After all, the Domination Puppets could be revived infinitely. As long as the Dominator Theater, the "Rebirth Chamber," existed, he could come back again and again. And each time, he would only grow stronger individually and expand his forces collectively. Ling ke hadn''t been a Herrscher for long. Given time, humanity''s chances of winning would only grow slimmer. And before that... "Since you''ve come here, according to the rules we set earlier, I''ll have to launch a full-scale hunt for Raiden Ryoma." Domination Puppet 001¡ªno, Ling ke, remotely controlling this body¡ªspoke these words. "I won''t let you succeed." Raiden Mei''s gaze shifted back to him. Now, there was no trace of the hesitation that had been in her eyes before. What had she experienced these past few days? "Heh, it''s not hard to guess." World Serpent headquarters, the Elysian Realm, the Thirteen Flame-Chasers... "It seems that because I, the butterfly, flapped my wings, Raiden Mei''s process of inheriting the Stigmata went much smoother than in the original storyline." In the Dominator Theater, Ling ke smiled, "After all..." "This era doesn''t have a ''Faded Fairy Lady'' causing trouble yet!" Yes. The Herrscher of Corruption in this timeline had attached itself to Raiden Mei to enter the Elysian Realm. Looking back at this part of the original storyline now... "Seems like you''re really a harbinger of disaster." Ling ke''s eyes turned cold, "Tch~ How come I never noticed that before?" "I guess the rose-tinted glasses were just too thick." When it came to his enemies, he naturally adopted the most critical mindset. So... "Won''t let me succeed? Ha!" On the deck of the Hyperion, Domination Puppet 001 mirrored Ling ke''s facial expressions and mocking tone, "Then you''d better step up your game, Miss Raiden Mei." "After all, there are far too many people you could have saved but failed to, who ended up losing their lives." "Given your ''outstanding track record,'' it''s hard for me to believe you''re not just spouting empty words right now." Hearing this... "Then we''ll see." Raiden Mei tightened her grip on the katana in her hand, raising it to point at the "Domination Puppet: Anby" in front of her, "Ling ke, you''ve gone from being a victim to a wanton perpetrator." "I won''t hold back anymore." Hearing her words... "Oh~ Quite the bold statement." Domination Puppet 001 sneered, "Yes, I am indeed a perpetrator now." "Just like you, aren''t I?" At this moment, her expression, synchronized with Ling ke''s, was utterly terrifying, "A perpetrator must have the resolve of a perpetrator." "To be hated, despised, cursed by the world, to be the object of hatred..." "So why don''t I see any of that on you?" Under Ling ke''s remote control, she glanced at Kiana standing not far away, "Don''t think that just because you''ve since lived in the light, you can forget the darkness and sin staining your past." "We haven''t forgotten." Kiana stepped forward, coming to stand beside Raiden Mei, and declared firmly, "We will carry the sins of our past with us as we move forward." Clap~ Clap~ Clap~ Domination Puppet 001 applauded. "Very good, very good." The corner of her mouth curled into a dangerous smile, "Remember what you''ve said today." "I look forward to seeing how you plan to move forward." At this point, a spatial gate opened behind her. She turned and stepped through, completely disregarding the many eyes on her. Raiden Mei and the others made no move to pursue. After all, with the shared intelligence between Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent, they were well aware that such spatial gates... could not be breached. But... "This is a hurdle we''ll have to overcome eventually." A certain Schicksal Overseer had once said this during a remote virtual meeting. To be honest, while Raiden Mei didn''t agree with many of that man''s methods, she... never doubted his capabilities. However... "Ahhh!!!" A scream came from behind. Everyone jolted. Instinctively, they turned to look... The commotion was coming from the bridge, where Theresa had forcibly broken through earlier. Several crew members responsible for piloting the Hyperion had been stabbed through the heart from behind. In the next moment... Bang~ "!!!" Everyone on the deck felt a strong sense of weightlessness. Most people almost lost their balance immediately. And in Raiden Mei''s field of vision... At the breach in the bridge, another "Domination Puppet: Anby" stood with a blade, sneering, her lips moving. She seemed to be silently mocking... "See, you''ve failed again." ****** The Hyperion ultimately did not crash. Because Ling ke still remembered his original plan. This floating battleship had already been marked with a spatial gate coordinate. From now on, it would be one of his spawn points... among others. So, in the end, he didn''t let the Domination Puppets casually destroy the ship''s main control console, which was right in front of them. But after that... "Carry the sins of your past and move forward, huh?" In the Dominator Theater, Lingke narrowed his unfocused black eyes, "Then don''t hide or cover things up. What''s the point of suppressing the news?" He immediately turned his attention to the system interface floating in front of him. Just now, he had drawn a very interesting game character template: [Game Character Template: Sombra] [From: "Overwatch"] [Character Traits: Health Mechanism, Infinite Ammo, Indestructible Equipment, Immunity to Fall Damage...] [Game Skills: Machine Pistol, Hack, Thermoptic Camo, Translocator, EMP, Opportunist...] [Background Talents: World-Class Hacker, World-Class Assassin...] [Related Introduction: Full Name: Olivia Colomar, the world''s most notorious hacker, orphaned by the Omnic Crisis, now a member of "Talon"...] S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was precisely because he had obtained this... "Although ''Dawn of the Silver Wolf'' also has hacking talents, it''s still not as convenient as this one." Ling ke''s face broke into a mischievous smile. Then, he issued an order. "Deploy 100 Domination Puppets, all using the ''Sombra'' template." "Then, publicly release all the information about the experiences of Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, World Serpent, and even those ''Herrscher ladies'' over the years... online." "Of course..." Ling ke sneered, "Don''t exaggerate or embellish anything, not even a little." "We''re not those unscrupulous trolls who spread fake news to stir up trouble. We''re committed to restoring 100% of the truth." "Afterward, people will naturally draw their own conclusions." Clearly, he understood... In this regard, there was no need for him to go out of his way. Even just the truth... The horrifying, blood-soaked truth... Was enough to turn the social media storm into a full-blown storm. "What was that saying again?" On his throne, Ling ke crossed his legs, propping his cheek with one hand, "Oh, right..." "The public has the right to know the truth." Chapter 26 - 025 : The Storm of Public Opinion and... Humanitys Master of Negotiation Failures The world of Honkai Impact 3rd is cruel. Because hundreds of millions of ordinary people have no means to resist the various natural and man-made disasters caused by the "Honkai." The world of Honkai Impact 3rd is also beautiful. Because... Some people, no matter how much damage they''ve caused in the past, no matter what karma or sins they carry... They always have the chance to start over, to the envy of others. Or... they can fulfill their dreams and satisfy their obsessions. Is this fair? Obviously... "In any world, true fairness doesn''t exist." "Those who receive preferential treatment are usually the strong." In the Dominator Theater, Ling ke coldly stated his conclusion. ****** A few days later... "This is a live report from Tokyo." "As you can see, riots have broken out on the streets..." Boom! "Earlier shocking revelations have driven angry citizens to take to the streets, expressing their shock and dissatisfaction by setting government buildings on fire." At Schicksal Headquarters, in a certain rest room. Kiana was sitting in front of a personal console, watching the live news broadcast on the screen, her heart filled with mixed emotions. In the footage, the camera switched to a massive protest march. People were holding banners, chanting in unison: "Eliminate the Herrschers! Give us back our homes." "Eliminate the Herrschers! Give us back our homes." Upon closer inspection, among the banners and flags held high by many ordinary citizens, there were images of several familiar faces... Ling ke, Mei, and... herself. However, the images were either crossed out with a big "¡Á" or covered in venomous curses. Some were even being burned in the streets. Not only that... "Disband Schicksal!" "Punish Anti-Entropy!" "Put World Serpent on trial!" "Reckless with human lives!" "Crimes against humanity!" "The international community doesn''t need these pests!" The symbols of the three major anti-Honkai organizations were also targets of public criticism. In Europe, West Asia, and North America, the criticism is directed at "Schicksal". In the Far East, Singapore, and other countries, the condemnation is "Anti-Entropy". As for World Serpent... Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When the truth of Sky City was revealed, and people learned that its subsidiary, "Shenzhou Pharmaceuticals," had attempted to use an entire city''s population as test subjects... The Chinese government issued a formal protest. Now, billions of people around the world knew. What had caused the "Berlin Fire" decades ago. What had caused the "Meteor Disaster" over a decade ago. What had caused the "Collapse of Nagazora City" a few years ago. And what had led to the ongoing "Global Hunt" operation. Are Herrschers the enemies of humanity? Yes! But how are Herrschers born? They are born from the arrogance and malice of certain unscrupulous scum. People now know about the test subject named "Sirin." They know about the pawn named "Raiden Mei." And they know about Ling ke''s past. The video archives stored at the West Asia branch, documenting the experiments, have been made public. Now, everyone in the world knows. Why Ling ke harbors such hatred for all of humanity. Some people have begun to understand him. Of course, others would gladly say: Serves him right. Because these people... their loved ones or close friends have recently died in Ling ke''s "Global Hunt" operation. Without a doubt, Ling ke himself clearly doesn''t care about these curses. Because after becoming a Herrscher, he has always been very clear about his position. No matter what, even without considering the identity of the "Herrscher of Domination," the five words "World-Ending Player" are enough to describe everything. But compared to him... Whether it''s Kiana, Mei, or even Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent... The pressure they face is much greater than Ling ke''s. Because Ling ke is already the enemy of all humanity. While they, the ones trying to protect humanity, are being attacked crazily, venting their anger by the very people they are trying to save. "Sigh~" Kiana rubbed her head and turned off the video in front of her. She wanted to get up and go out for a walk. Hopefully... she wouldn''t run into Otto. Yes. Even though the three factions have now formed an alliance, she still doesn''t want to see that face. If it weren''t for him, Teacher Himeko wouldn''t have... "Teacher Himeko!" Thinking of that fiery red figure, Kiana''s mood sank even lower. Her whereabouts are still unknown. (TL/N: Perhaps dead ????) And according to the leader of World Serpent, Kevin Kaslana, the chances of her survival are extremely slim, almost zero. "Teacher Himeko, I hope you''re okay!" "I..." As she walked out of her room alone, already unsettled, Kiana suddenly heard... another video broadcast from next door. "Good morning, afternoon, and evening, dear viewers and listeners." "I''m your most truthful broadcast host¡ªDonny Vermillion." "Once again, it is I who will reveal the truths hidden in the shadows in recent years..." Kiana stopped in her tracks. Her neighbor was Mei. She now dares not to directly approach this friend. Because recently, Raiden Mei''s personal state has been very off. Even though her father, Raiden Ryoma, has been placed under the protection of the three major organizations, it remains the same. It seems that the incident on the deck of the Hyperion and the recent pressure from public opinion have greatly affected her. As for the broadcast that the latter is watching... Donny Vermillion. A mysterious person whose past identity information cannot be found by any of the three major organizations: Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent. Our side further infers that this person is most likely a subordinate of Ling ke. It is he who has suddenly become active in front of everyone worldwide in recent days, disclosing various secrets related to the "Honkai." During this period, Donny Vermillion''s personal account, live streams, and even the portal website and forum he established... All of these, no matter how hard the top information technology personnel within the three major organizations try, cannot be shut down or closed. It is precisely because of his frenzied revelations that the current storm of public opinion in the international community has become so terrifying. Now, Donny Vermillion''s attention has reached hundreds of millions. Every one of his live streams and recordings is watched by millions. It can be said that as long as this man sits in his studio, he is the most eye-catching heat. Today... "Today, I will bring you, my dear audience, a piece of unverified gossip." "Yes, you heard it right, I need to emphasize again, this news has not been confirmed by any parties involved, whether it is true or false, please judge for yourselves." Outside the door, Kiana begins to prick up her ears to listen. As far as she knows, if Donny Vermillion is not talking about a 100% verified truth, he will always preface with such a statement. Many people say he is quite rigorous. This further enhances the credibility of the information he reveals. And now... "It is said that more than ten years ago, during the outbreak of the ''Second Honkai'' in Siberia, the leader of Anti-Entropy, ''Welt Yang,'' faced the Second Herrscher multiple times." "It is undeniable that he, who inherited the will and power of the previous Herrscher of Reason, did sacrifice and contribute a lot in the process of repeated battles." "But at that time, he might have made a judgment that, in terms of its impact on later generations, was quite wrong." In the broadcast, Donny Vermillion is very skilled at stirring the emotions of the audience. His tone of speech is quite proficient in using cadence. And it is in this state... "I have previously disclosed that in earlier years, Sirin... that is, the later Herrscher of the Void, was tortured in the Schicksal''s privately established ''Babylon Labs.''" "She herself was in unbearable pain, and her friends around her were successively used as expendables, dying tragically." "Yet those inhumane researchers said: These orphans should feel honored to sacrifice for the Valkyries, for Schicksal." "So, when she became the Second Herrscher, the first thing she thought of was actually: to take revenge on ''Schicksal,'' to take revenge on all Valkyries." "At that time, she didn''t even know the name of her greatest enemy, the Archbishop of Schicksal." "However, during a battle with the Second Herrscher, Mr. Welt passionately said two sentences to her¡ª" "I, Welt, challenge you on behalf of humanity." "God! Test whether humanity has the qualification to survive." "Since then, Sirin''s target of revenge expanded from just ''Schicksal'' to all of humanity." (TL/N: whoaaa..) Hearing this... "..." Kiana, with her ear against the door, falls silent. Because, in her mind... "Hmph, that''s about right¡î." The person involved actually gave an affirmative answer. Chapter 27 - 026 : The Tenth Target of Revenge Just as the three major organizations, Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent had speculated, the so-called "Donny Vermillion" is a public opinion initiator specially arranged by Ling ke. He is not a human from this Honkai Impact 3rd world. But a game character template recently drawn by Ling ke. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lingke does not understand journalism. But... [Game Character Template: Donny Vermillion] [From: "StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty"] [Character Traits: Health Mechanism] [Game Skills: None] [Background Talents: StarCraft''s Top News Anchor, Stress Resistance, Talking Nonsense with Eyes Open...] [Related Introduction: The top news anchor of the Terran Dominion''s UNN, loves peanut butter...] Without a doubt, this mustachioed man is an ordinary person without any special abilities. You should know, although the "StarCraft" series describes a sci-fi background world view, there are also many supernatural powers within it. For example: Psionic energy. Even... gods! And even without mentioning these overly lofty concepts, things like "gene enhancement potions" are widely circulated in human territories. Unfortunately, this person has nothing. But as Ling ke said when he drew "Mitsuzuri Ayako" from the "Fate" series: Even an ordinary person has their time to shine. Now, it''s a similar opportunity. In "StarCraft: Wings of Liberty," Donny Vermillion is a clown character, helping the tyrannical and dictatorial monarch of the Terran Dominion, "Arcturus Mengsk," whitewash his actions in the early stages of the story, only to have his own relatives die because of the latter''s decrees. In the end, he went insane, not only losing his once top elite job but also being completely socially dead. It must be said, this person''s experience is truly lamentable. But no matter what, he does have skills in journalism. At present, Lingke is very satisfied with the performance of "Domination Puppet: Donny Vermillion." This person, in the recent days, with the assistance of the advanced network information technology of hundreds of "Domination Puppets: Shadows," combined with his own rhetoric, has gained a high level of fame in the Earth''s human civilization of the Honkai Impact 3rd world. He is not the kind of rigid person who just dumps information. Occasionally, he will also say some ambiguous "interesting things" like today, to stir the emotions of the audience and listeners. Of course, perhaps for some parties involved, this kind of "interesting things" is not funny. For example: those victims. And for example... heh~ Now, Ling ke can somewhat imagine, if the matter about the "Human Negotiation Failure Master" were to reach the ears of the Anti-Entropy higher-ups... "Their expressions must be quite interesting." ****** The facts are just as Ling ke imagined. These days, all the live streams and reports hosted by Donny Vermillion have become key matters that the higher-ups of the three major organizations must pay close attention to. So, today''s headline about the "Human Negotiation Failure Master," the latter group naturally did not miss it. And after they watched this section of the live stream... "..." Welt remained silent. In the room, standing beside him, Einstein and Tesla were in a similar state. The latter two know the personality of their Anti-Entropy leader very well. They are well aware that Welt Yang is good in every way, with a sense of justice and responsibility. He inherited Joyce''s will, willing to sacrifice himself to save others... Although Tesla really doesn''t like this last point. Well, no more digressions. In short, Einstein and Tesla both know that Welt has a... flaw that can be laughed off in normal times, but this time it has clearly caused a big mess. He is a hidden chuunibyou. Yes, just like that little girl, the Herrscher of Thunder. The two have seen more than once that Welt, when idle, would secretly fiddle with some easily socially embarrassing... role-playing? Even, occasionally during remote communication, even in broad daylight, he would pull the curtains with excellent sun-shading effects in the room, then sit in front of the screen, letting the glasses on his nose bridge reflect light... Without a doubt, as mentioned above, this little personality is usually harmless. However... "So, it was my fault." After a long time, Welt uttered such a brief sentence. Hearing him say this, Einstein and Tesla wanted to refute, to comfort him in their own way, either expressionlessly teasing or directly raising their voices to scold... and so on. But their lips twitched, and in the end, they could only remain silent. No way, they didn''t know what to say. Because they understand Welt, they completely believe that, as the host named "Donny Vermillion" said, Welt, who has a hidden chuunibyou, might really get carried away on the battlefield because of the excitement, directly saying some random, purely show-off lines. And that time more than ten years ago... the result was that tens of millions of people died from the meteor disaster caused by Sirin. He indirectly expanded the scope of her revenge. Perhaps, Sirin would have done the same in dealing with Schicksal. But if you really want to find such a reason, isn''t that just an excuse? A double standard? To be honest, only this time, Ling ke really didn''t think too much about it. Donny Vermillion was just "livening up the atmosphere." They didn''t even know if this matter was 100% true. Unexpectedly, because Welt and others have a very strong sense of responsibility and are upright... They all fell for it. For a moment, these three Anti-Entropy higher-ups, thinking that the deaths of tens of millions of people were related to them. Their hearts were extremely tormented. At the same time... "The public opinion storm has initially formed, and the subsequent events do not require much of my attention." "Next, you will either be gradually engulfed and eroded by this primitive malice." "Or, just wait for a key fuse to be ignited, completely detonating this pile of ''explosives''..." "Really looking forward to it, when you are hurt by the very group you want to protect, with hostility and hatred, how long can the so-called justice and beauty in your hearts last?" "Hmm, that kind of scene must be quite dramatic and spectacular." Inside the Dominion Theater, Ling ke, unaware that he had inadvertently "planted a willow without intent," slightly raised the corners of his mouth. Still sitting alone on his throne, he crossed his legs and summoned multiple system interfaces in front of him. Inside, the real-time combat footage of several Domination Puppets was displayed. "Several ''delicacies'' are already being cooked, so before they leave the kitchen and are officially served, let me prepare some appetizers!" As his thoughts wandered, Ling ke''s gaze fell on a coordinate on an electronic map. There, a city named Manchester stood. It seemed unremarkable. But Ling ke remembered clearly... It was the hometown of one of Schicksal''s current S-rank Valkyries, "Rita Rossweisse." Now, recalling the maid who had once brought him from "hell" into the "abyss"... "Dark Rose, oh Dark Rose." "When the vibrant rose loses its color, can you still smile as calmly and elegantly as ever?" A cold smile appeared on Lingke''s face. "I am looking forward to it." Chapter 28 - 027 : Rita Rossweisse Recently, Rita had been having a recurring nightmare. It was on a transport vehicle, where she was resting in the passenger seat, with a familiar Valkyrie colleague driving. It was nighttime, the road was quiet, and the mission was simple, with almost no chance of encountering enemies. She wanted to take a short nap. But just as she closed her eyes... "Let... me... go..." "Please... let me... leave..." "I... don''t want..." "Rita... please... help..." "Save... me..." "Don''t..." "Ugh... ugh..." A hoarse voice came from behind. Mixed with sobs. It was like a child with low intelligence, venting their negative emotions in the most primitive way. It was the sound of someone who, after experiencing despair, finally saw what they thought was hope, only for their long-tensed psychological defenses to collapse due to relaxation. It was the most naked display of weakness. It was a cry for help born from helplessness. She turned her head and saw, through the wire mesh, a young man lying in the back of the transport vehicle. His hair had already fallen out. His lips were cracked in several places, but no blood flowed. Parts of his exposed skin showed an eerie pale color. Purple lines spread across his neck. What surprised Rita the most about this person was his hands. The nails on all ten fingers were gone. Leaving behind bloody flesh. What was most shocking was that the flesh at the tips of his fingers seemed to have been pierced. Tiny holes, one after another, like needle pricks. Yes, there were multiple such piercings. His toes had them too. At that time, Rita could hardly imagine what kind of terrifying experience could have caused such injuries if they had appeared on her own body. For the rest of the journey, Rita could hear the man''s murmurs. It was as if that was the last straw in his heart. That straw had many names. Perhaps it was called "hope." Perhaps it was called "beauty." Or perhaps it could also be called "kindness," "conscience," and... "humanity." But Rita tried her best to ignore it. To be honest, from an emotional standpoint, Rita really wanted to grant his wish. To let him go. But the state the man was in... Honkai corruption! He had to be quarantined. Otherwise, he would harm more people. And his identity... he was suspected to be an experimental subject of Anti-Entropy. "Bring him back." "I want to see what those Anti-Entropy people are up to." This was an order directly from the Archbishop. So, Rita led the post-disaster investigation team in Nagazora City to take the "experimental subject" found in the abandoned Anti-Entropy base to the West Asia Branch. In fact, the closest branch to the incident site should have been the Far East Branch. But that was under the jurisdiction of Lady Theresa. Clearly, the Archbishop did not want his beloved granddaughter to be exposed to too much darkness again. Besides... The Far East Branch within the borders of Shenzhou was also not a suitable choice. Because this country, due to certain historical reasons, deeply hated high-risk human experiments with coercive elements. As for the West Asia Branch... Most of its higher-ups were from Jacob''s Land. The latter''s reputation and actions over the past century were well-known even to Rita, who hailed from the Land of the Rising Sun. In any case, according to the Archbishop''s instructions, the West Asia Branch was undoubtedly the most suitable place to receive the experimental subject and maximize his value. At that time, Rita forced herself not to think too much. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Later, the man''s mouth was also sealed. Her teammates, who did not have as strong a heart as Rita, could no longer bear the spine-chilling wails. However, when she led the team to the West Asia Branch''s base and completed the handover... "!!!" Looking at the stretcher passing by her, at the man who no longer struggled as he had during the journey, but instead tilted his head with all his might, staring at her with bloodshot eyes... His pupils trembled uncontrollably. Tears slowly fell from the corners of his eyes. But the tear stains... Were a strange, bloody red. It was as if he wanted to etch everything he saw into his memory. And in that silent declaration: I will... never forget. All of you... If I ever get the chance, I will... "!!!" At Schicksal Headquarters, Rita woke up in her restroom. She found that her body, clad in a thin tank top and pajamas, was drenched in sweat. She was unconsciously gasping for breath. It took Rita a long time to calm down. Now, with no one around, her brief moment of vulnerability was not exposed to outsiders. "Haah~" After taking a few deep breaths, she finally let out a long sigh. This was her way of calming herself. Rita sat on the bed, one hand resting on her forehead. It was cold. To this day, she still couldn''t forget that look. Even though she had already made a name for herself on the world assassin list "Charon''s Roster," and as the Archbishop''s sharp blade, had dealt with too much filth in the world under the name "Dark Rose"... Only in that moment, she was afraid. Even just recalling it, even compared to the other Herrschers she had encountered recently... It was a nightmare that wouldn''t go away. Perhaps, even back then, she knew... "If the hatred in his heart were to be unleashed, it would be enough to destroy the entire world." Inside the restroom, Rita fell into silence. After a long while... Sigh~ Recalling the recent events, she sighed helplessly. Everything had come true. That person was now truly trying to destroy the world. He killed without mercy, more terrifying than any Herrscher. If, back then, she had defied the Archbishop''s orders, followed her emotional judgment, and let him go... Or if she had been smarter, protected him, and let him live in seclusion in a remote place... Even if, after recalling this person multiple times, she had taken the time and found the opportunity to visit the West Asia Branch to check on his condition... Given her status, the first few points aside, the last one... was undoubtedly something she could easily do. But until today... "Self-pity doesn''t suit me." Rita smiled self-deprecatingly, "No matter what, it''s too late now." She and he were strangers to begin with. Wait! Strangers? Years later, after just having a nightmare, Rita suddenly noticed a detail. Back then, during the transport, that person seemed to... Vaguely call out her name? "Rita... please... help me..." "Save me!!!" Rita was stunned. Why? She could confirm that she had never met him before that. Why did he see her as his last hope? Did he know her? How? "Hmm~" Rita couldn''t help but rub her temples. Her thoughts were too chaotic, so she decided to get up and take a cold shower in the bathroom. As one of the current S-rank Valkyries, her living conditions were not bad when she wasn''t on missions. And they couldn''t be bad. Of course, even in such a comfortable environment, she rarely let her guard down. This was a professional habit she had developed over the years, ever since she was inspired by someone in her youth, trained hard, and eventually became a Valkyrie. Suddenly... "Did you have a nightmare?" "!!!" The sudden voice in the room startled Rita, and she immediately assumed a defensive stance. She swiftly pulled a dagger from under her pillow and landed lightly on the ground, crouching low. This posture, with her legs bent, allowed her to quickly leap or dodge. And by crouching low, her exposed surface area was drastically reduced. This move alone was enough to prove her worth as a top-tier assassin. However, when she quickly locked onto the source of the voice and saw the intruder''s face... "It''s you!" Rita felt her heartbeat and breathing unconsciously slow for a moment. Ling ke! The 10th Herrscher¡ªHerrscher of Domination! He had actually appeared here in person! Yes. From Rita''s perspective, a black-haired young man in formal attire was sitting on a sofa not far away in her room. He had a calm smile on his face, but his eyes were unfocused. This stark contrast in facial expressions was so eerie that it made her entire body feel uneasy. And in this situation... "So, you have nightmares too." Lingke''s tone was calm, as if he were commenting on a trivial matter, "I thought you could always be cold-hearted, calm, ruthless... no, cold-blooded to the extreme." "Just like back then, living up to your name, the thorny Dark Rose." "Beautiful and enchanting on the outside, but in reality... it''s all a facade to hide your danger." Hearing this... If it were anyone else, Rita would likely have smiled gracefully and quipped, "Barging into a lady''s room is quite rude." But for some reason, in front of this person, she didn''t dare to act so casually. "Why are you here?" Rita asked in a low voice, "Are you here to take revenge on me now?" Clearly, she was different from Mei and Bronya. She had long passed the stage of needing to slowly understand her own heart. Therefore, even though she genuinely felt sorry for Lingke at this moment... She knew he was an enemy of all humanity, a Herrscher who must be destroyed. So, in her words, she was already preparing to find an opportunity to send out the current situation to others. This way, reinforcements could arrive as quickly as possible, not missing this rare chance to subdue Lingke''s true body. Unfortunately, Rita didn''t know... Ling ke wasn''t the kind of foolish villain who would overestimate himself and get himself killed. Therefore... "Let''s have some fun with you!" Inside the Dominion Theater, Ling ke''s true body was still sitting alone on the high-backed throne. He was like the director of a play, observing everything from a god''s perspective. Clearly, the one who appeared in Rita''s room was just a Domination Puppet whose appearance had been slightly altered using the Herrscher of Reason''s authority. As mentioned before: Before completing his true revenge plan, he would never expose himself to danger. Chapter 29 - 028 : Answer Me, As mentioned earlier, because Ling ke was the Herrscher of Domination, who "united the hearts of all," he trusted no one and had never distributed the authority he held... Thus, his learning ability had been greatly enhanced. And this thousand-fold increase was still growing rapidly as the number of Dominator Puppets under his command increased. It was thanks to this advantage... These days, he not only found time to learn a vast amount of practical knowledge and skills in various fields¡ªmedicine, astronomy, geography, special operations, art... he dabbled in them all¡ªbut also took the opportunity to practice using the authorities of the "Herrscher of Reason" and "Herrscher of the Void." Today... "Miss Rita, let''s play a game!" Inside Rita''s personal restroom at Schicksal Headquarters. The Domination Puppet, remotely controlled by Ling ke and identical in appearance to him, smiled and said, "Of course, you don''t have the right to refuse." Hearing this, Rita didn''t respond. What she wanted to do now, and was doing, was buying time. The message had already been sent. At least Durandal had received the intel. Soon, she... and possibly others, would arrive. Therefore... "Before coming here, I carefully selected ten cities." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" used the authority of the Herrscher of Reason to materialize a semi-transparent projection in mid-air. It was a virtual globe. Currently, on its surface, ten red dots were flashing. "Sky City, Hot Springs Capital, Snow Pear City, Ankara, Holy City... Delhi City, and... Manchester." Hearing the names of these ten cities, Rita''s expression shifted slightly. She was familiar with all of them. "Correct." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" gestured with his right hand and explained, "As Miss Rita has guessed, nine of these ten cities are related to anti-Honkai operations you''ve participated in." "One could say that the reason they still stand today is because you contributed, more or less, during those operations." "And the tenth city... Manchester, is your hometown." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" synchronized Lingke''s true body''s facial expression, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, "Now, let''s stop here for the introduction..." "The game today is simple." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" pointed at the virtual globe in mid-air, "These ten cities will be the targets of our full-scale attack next." "Of course, since this is a fight to the death, we will not hesitate to... massacre the cities." Rita frowned deeply. The person in front of her continued, "And you, Miss Rita..." "Next, you will answer a few of my questions." "If your answers satisfy me, then for each corresponding question, one city will be spared from this catastrophic fate." "Naturally, since this is a reward for you, the specific city to be spared will also be decided by you." Rita''s heart sank. Having often dealt with the dark side of the world and having ample experience in this area, she knew what Ling ke was trying to do. Clearly, this was another form of psychological torture. She had already realized that the so-called Q&A game wasn''t about the correctness of the answers but rather the seemingly secondary condition of... choosing which city to spare. Because Ling ke hadn''t said that the number of questions would match the number of cities. And if the number of questions was fewer than the number of cities, then every time she made a choice, it wouldn''t just mean protecting one city but also "abandoning" another. Just like back then, as a member of the Nagazora City investigation team, she had abandoned her emotional judgment. Thus, indirectly influencing many events, ultimately leading to the birth of this Herrscher, who was once a person full of hope. "Now, let the questions begin!" The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" didn''t wait for Rita''s response at all and directly started asking questions. Rita remained relatively calm... at least on the surface. For now, she tried to calm the intense emotional fluctuations in her heart and gracefully sat back down on the edge of the bed. It looked as if she were having a private gathering with an old friend. And in this atmosphere... "The first question: Miss Rita, do you think you are a good person?" "..." Rita had anticipated this. She knew that Ling ke would never ask a formulaic question with a definitive answer. Instead, it would be the kind of purely tormenting question that required her to gauge the questioner''s mindset¡ªa question with no clear answer. To this... "No!" Rita gave her answer. She believed that Ling ke would want to hear this answer from her. Moreover, this was also the conclusion she had reached after reflecting on herself. Over the years, as the assassin codenamed "Dark Rose," she had taken on too many dirty jobs under Otto''s orders, her hands long stained with blood, no longer clean. Even on the surface, her true purpose as the vice-captain of the "Immortal Blades" squad... every time she heard that golden-haired girl say with a smile how much she trusted her, it always left her with mixed feelings. However... S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This is not the answer I wanted." The Domination Puppet: Ling ke" shook his head regretfully and said, "In my opinion, Miss Rita, you are undoubtedly a good person." "?" Rita was stunned upon hearing this. Then she heard... "Living in darkness, yearning for light." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" said with a light smile, "In my personal opinion, these sentences are undoubtedly the most fitting description of you." "..." Rita did not respond. She silently looked at the black-haired young man on the sofa not far away. The latter simply smiled, seemingly with no intention of waiting for her to express her thoughts, nor any desire to explain further, and continued, "The second question..." "Saving someone is a kindness, not saving is a duty... Miss Rita, do you agree with this statement?" "..." Without a doubt, in the current situation, this was undoubtedly the most pointed question for her. Because the questioner was Ling ke. The person whose plea for help she had ignored in the past. So, her answer... "I don''t know." She truly didn''t know the answer to this question. To be honest, Rita envied those who could answer "I agree" without hesitation. Because they would live more easily. But, if the roles were reversed, and she was the one in need of saving... Could such an answer still be spoken so casually? How many people in desperate situations would long for a savior to reach out to them? Perhaps, like Ling ke back then... All he wanted was a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just that, would have been enough for him to struggle and never fall into the abyss. To still believe that there was something beautiful in the world worth fighting for. However, now... "Hmm, I understand." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" nodded, "Not knowing... that is also an answer." He smiled, "To be honest, I quite like this answer." "So..." He pointed at the virtual globe floating in mid-air, "Choose, Miss Rita." "Which city will you save?" (TL/N: damn. so cold!) Chapter 30 - 029 : Who Outsmarted Whom? The main event had arrived! Rita knew that this was Ling ke''s true intention. And she, compared to Kiana, Mei, Bronya, and the others, was undoubtedly much more mature. So she didn''t hesitate much... "Manchester." When she spoke the name of the city, Rita''s expression remained unchanged. She knew very well that, in her heart, this was the most important city among the ten listed by Ling ke. Because it was not only her hometown but also... the place where she had met "that person," a place filled with special memories. Ragna Lothbrok. The former captain of the Schicksal Vanguard. She was the sole reason why Rita had once wanted to become a Valkyrie. She was also the guide of Rita''s life. So... "Understood." The black-haired young man not far away nodded, "Then, from this moment on, the remaining nine cities, excluding ''Manchester,'' will be subjected to a full-scale attack by our side, until no signs of intelligent life activity can be detected within them." "Huh?" Rita was stunned. She was surprised that Ling ke didn''t deliberately "reverse" her choice, destroying the city she had chosen first. And also... Was the questioning... over? Just two questions? This... "Wait!" She couldn''t sit still anymore. Nine cities... and almost all of them were major cities. Now, the Herrscher of Domination''s side was about to launch a city-wide massacre? Why so sudden? One second ago, he was calmly asking questions, and the next, he declared that the current segment was over. It was incredibly abrupt. To be honest, at this moment, Rita, who had previously been somewhat confident in her understanding of psychology, was completely clueless about Ling ke''s true intentions. This eerie feeling was like... Facing a mentally ill patient with an extremely erratic thought process! As for Ling ke... "Miss Rita, I have already obtained the answer I wanted and... a result." He remotely controlled the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" to stand up from the sofa, then smiled and gracefully performed a gentleman''s bow. Then... "Thank you very much for your cooperation. Let''s part ways here!" He glanced at the door of the restroom, "After all, there are already outsiders coming to disturb us." At this point... Buzz~ A spatial portal directly connected to the Dominion Theater opened. At the same time... Bang! The door to Rita''s private restroom was violently kicked open from the outside. At this moment, in the vision of the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke," he saw a golden streak of light flash and then rapidly enlarge. Boom! A fierce straight punch struck him right in the face. Currently, because the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" had subconsciously leaned to the side to dodge, this punch... due to the angle of force and impact, caused his head... to tilt along with his body, rotating nearly 180 degrees. "!!!" This bizarre scene shocked the intruder, who instantly retreated, shielding Rita. Without a doubt, the person who had forcibly entered Rita''s room at this moment was Durandal. And she had directly activated the "Eternal Anchor" state, utilizing the anchored world bubble and the power of the "Holy Sword"... the strongest S-rank Valkyrie. At this time, Durandal had not yet achieved "Tian Yuan," so this was the strongest power she possessed at this stage. However... Crack~ Facing her, the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" acted as if nothing had happened, forcefully using his right hand to twist his head back into place. This signature move was clearly an imitation of the clown brother, Izaya Orihara, from Durarara!!. At this moment, he looked at the two people in the room besides himself... His wandering gaze swept over Rita, who was visibly horrified, and finally settled on Durandal, who wore a grave expression. "Tsk tsk, this is the strongest S-rank Valkyrie of all generations." "So strong, like a monster, truly terrifying." As soon as he finished speaking... "Ling ke, surrender!" Durandal, with her binary personality, had no intention of engaging in further conversation with him. She bent her knees slightly, clearly preparing to launch a second wave of attacks. Unfortunately... "Is this really okay?" The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" pointed at the virtual globe still floating in mid-air beside him, "The war to massacre the cities has already begun..." "If you want to save people... you don''t have much time!" "Enough talk." Durandal responded in a deep voice, while simultaneously dashing forward again, "Other matters can wait until after we''ve captured you." Almost the moment the last syllable fell, she had already charged up to the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" once more. Clearly, she had no intention of letting him leave. Even though... Even though Durandal already knew that the "Ling ke" before her was not the true body of the Herrscher of Domination. Obviously, while Durandal''s personality leaned towards being binary and rigid, she was not foolish. Especially her combat intuition... it often compensated for her shortcomings in other areas. At this moment, Durandal had made her judgment immediately. "Since we can''t capture Ling ke''s true body, then... we also need a means of communication with the other side... a way to establish dialogue." It was precisely because of this thought... Boom! This time, Durandal''s approach was even more violent. It could be seen that now, she completely disregarded whether the surrounding walls would be damaged, actually using one hand to grab the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" by the neck, and then... smashed through numerous rooms in a straight line. For a moment, dust rose all around. The Schicksal Headquarters, this floating island, was in complete chaos. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Until... "Huh?" Durandal forcibly "pushed" the black-haired young man before her into a special room. This place was a unique prison. It... It had a train engine parked in a compartment. The Second Divine Key¡ªEternal Key¡¤Thousand Realms. "Space has been sealed!" "And... by analyzing the combat data from Mei''s previous battle on the Hyperion, they''ve figured out that the essence of my ability to steal Herrscher authorities is ultimately just a ''tug-of-war'' process that relies on brute strength?" "The surrounding devices... this bizarre design... it doesn''t seem like a creation of this era alone." "Are they borrowing the power of the Flame-Chaser''s memories?" At this moment, the instant he entered this special room, the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" discerned and deduced the above facts. Then... "Speaking of which, in the original storyline, both Anti-Entropy and World Serpent found ways to detect and track ''spatial gates.''" "It seems that during this time, Dr. Einstein and the others haven''t been idle either!" "Unfortunately..." Inside the Dominion Theater, Ling ke''s true body slowly opened his eyes, "The Dominion Theater is now bound to my system as a ''Rebirth Chamber.'' Without my permission, no one can enter." "This is ''absolute,'' and it has been repeatedly tested." "Moreover, I am no longer the Herrscher of Domination of ''a thousand,'' but of ''ten thousand''... well, to adapt to local customs, should I say a ''transcended'' version of the Herrscher?" In any case, for the current Ling ke, even when facing a fully realized Herrscher... such as Raiden Mei, he could easily win in a "tug-of-war" and directly steal their authority. Before today... back on the deck of the Hyperion, he had simply chosen not to do so on purpose. Clearly, he had other plans. So... "Whether it''s the living of the current civilization or the memories of the previous one, the limit of what you world-class scholars can achieve ends here." At this moment, seeing that the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" seemed to be completely trapped... he had opened a spatial gate in Rita''s personal restroom earlier, pretending to return directly to the Dominion Theater, but was entangled by Durandal and couldn''t cross over. Now, however... "Let''s go along with their wishes and pretend that under the interference of this special device centered around the ''Thousand Realms,'' ''I'' really can''t open a spatial gate in that room." "After all the effort I''ve put into delivering ''myself'' to you, it wouldn''t be right to waste it." As his thoughts reached this point, a triumphant sneer appeared on the face of Lingke''s true body, hidden behind the scenes. It must be said: The natives of this world clearly haven''t watched The Avengers. Chapter 31 - 030 : The Value and Irony of This Before Ling ke crossed over, he had watched a movie called The Avengers. He knew that the plot of this movie wasn''t particularly deep, just a pure special effects spectacle. But there was one small development in it that he found quite interesting. Namely: The scene where the trickster god Loki deliberately gets captured, causing tensions within the Avengers to rise sharply, leading to a brief fracture, and even mutual wariness and hostility. Now, Ling ke is pulling the same trick. He knows that, since he hasn''t yet drawn a truly powerful game character template and currently doesn''t have a single "Herrscher-level" combatant on hand... With his side lacking high-end combat power, he naturally has to be wary of the enemy''s high-end combat power. For example: Kevin Kaslana. And because Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent have now formed an alliance, he must further guard against Kevin, this ancestor, potentially giving his descendants special treatment. Like... opening the Stigmata Space to Durandal, allowing her to achieve "Tian Yuan" ahead of time. Besides, there''s Raiden Mei... the one in the Elysian Realm might just give her a boost with the "Origin" buff. Add to that the seemingly harmless but with potential rivaling the Earth''s god, Seele... And... if the runaway child''s rebellious phase ends, directly "Herrscher of Sentience + Garuda Artificial Stigma" Fu Hua... And then there''s Otto... Ling ke is well aware that if he only had to deal with the protagonist group from the original storyline, it would actually be easier. He could just threaten them with the lives of ordinary people. This vicious move, while not guaranteed to be 100% effective, would at least make the protagonist group hesitate. The fact that Welt decided to publicly announce the "hunting declaration" content he revealed earlier is proof enough of this. However... The same situation, if handled by Otto and Kevin, would be entirely different. These two are the type who "know it''s not just, but will do it anyway." They are too decisive, willing to sacrifice others, and even themselves, without hesitation. Therefore... "A game isn''t fun if it''s too easy." Inside the Dominion Theater, Lingke narrowed his eyes, "It''s this level of difficulty that makes it interesting to challenge and gives a sense of accomplishment when you clear it." "And..." He thought to himself, "For those ''enemies'' of mine, over time and with repeated encounters, simple acts of killing are no longer enough to ''break their hearts.''" Indeed. Just look at the changes in Raiden Mei recently. The first time they reunited, she was completely unable to handle Ling ke''s "provocations." But by the second time, she had already started to take a hardline stance. This is not the result Ling ke hoped to see. He wants these people to suffer forever. Not to inspire them, to clarify their hearts, and to resolve to join forces to defeat him. The same goes for Rita... Her mindset is more mature, making it harder to "break her heart." Even if it works, the impact is minimal. So... "So, in the end, I still have to serve that ''main course'' that I''ve meticulously prepared for." Yes. Ling ke has already thought of a plan cruel enough to make all his enemies collapse and suffer endless, heart-wrenching torment... And sending the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" as a wedge is the first step in that plan. As for the second step... "Let''s wait and see who can''t hold back first and secretly comes to contact ''me.''" Ling ke began to look forward to it. ****** Meanwhile, on the other side... Ling ke is clearly a man of his word. Now, although his current core objective has been achieved, and the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" appears to have been captured but was actually deliberately left at Schicksal Headquarters... he hasn''t forgotten to do something else. Namely: Launch a full-scale attack on the nine cities other than Manchester. "A person must keep their word." Inside the Dominion Theater, Ling ke''s true body sneered, "Otherwise, some people might think I''m playing house." "By the way, the results of this battle can also slightly stimulate their nerves, making the ''negotiations'' they think are happening come sooner." "I don''t want to wait much longer." "And you... can''t afford to wait at all." Clearly, Ling ke had planned everything out. Sure enough... At Schicksal Headquarters, just over ten minutes after the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" was trapped, the higher-ups of the three major organizations came to see him together. At this point, the latter group didn''t even have time to properly prepare a meeting room. They directly gathered in the compartment of the prison where space had been sealed by the "Second Divine Key." Upon closer inspection, this place was quite similar to some virtual training fields used for combat. At this moment, Otto, Welt... and even Kevin, the leaders of the three major organizations, along with their subordinates, colleagues, and partners, all gathered at the higher observation point. To be honest... "From my perspective, this is truly a spectacular sight." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" sneered and muttered this sentence. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And his words were naturally picked up by the high-precision audio capture devices installed in this prison... or rather, large-scale secret room. For a moment... "Tsk~" Others might not say it, but at least Dr. Tesla couldn''t help but click her tongue. Clearly, the number of people who didn''t want to be in the same room as Otto was far more than just Kiana. Even now, for Kiana personally, she felt that the consciousness of the "Herrscher of the Void" she had suppressed was becoming more violent. What was that saying again? Oh, right! "When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with fury!" The mocking voice of the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" rang out once more. "Let me see..." His gaze swept over the people who had appeared at the observation point. He even used his hands to mimic a camera frame, squinting his eyes... "The person whose father was killed by Otto." "The person whose mother was killed by Otto." "The person whose best friend was killed by Otto." "And even someone who was killed by Otto... ''themselves.''" "And then... all standing together with Otto?" "Hahahaha!" The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke," who had already raised his hands, couldn''t help but clap, "What a perfect match, you all." "Too bad I don''t have a Polaroid camera on me, or I''d really capture this overly darkly humorous... historic moment!" "Yes, absolutely, you''ve only lost your loved ones, but you still have him (Otto)!" "He (Otto) can completely fill the void in your hearts, can''t he?" Hearing this, many of the people above had extremely unpleasant expressions on their faces. But among them, Kevin and Otto were clearly not included. At this moment, the expression on the face of the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" suddenly turned cold... "So I say, is this what humanity in this era has become?" "It''s even worse than the last era!" The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" spoke as if he were an announcer, "By the way, what was the final outcome of the Earth''s human civilization in the last era?" "Hmm, it was destroyed." He narrowed his eyes, "So, this even worse era naturally can''t have a better ending than the last one, right?" "Otherwise, it would be too unfair." "You..." A certain lobster doctor couldn''t hold back and was about to lash out. But she was immediately stopped by Welt, who had been prepared, as he placed a hand on her shoulder. At this moment, Dr. Tesla turned her head to look at him, seeing him shake his head helplessly... "Don''t forget our purpose." Hearing this, Dr. Tesla took a few deep breaths. Finally, she managed to suppress her easily provoked temper. But she didn''t take her eyes off the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke." This was a reflection of her sense of responsibility. She was not running away. As for the others... At this moment, the people present at the scene were: From Schicksal: Otto, Durandal, Rita, and Amber. From Anti-Entropy: Welt, Tesla, Einstein, Bronya, and temporarily accompanying them, Kiana, Fu Hua, and Theresa. From World Serpent: Kevin, Raven, Jackal, Gray Serpent, and... also temporarily accompanying them, Raiden Mei. The "Big Three" were all here. However... "Otto hasn''t yet exposed Li Sushang''s existence." "Kevin hasn''t exposed ''White Feather.''" "From Anti-Entropy, Seele didn''t come, probably because Bronya didn''t want her to be too involved in matters related to me." "Raiden Ryoma isn''t here either..." Ling ke, indirectly observing all of this from behind the scenes, had many thoughts running through his mind. In the end... "Sure enough, it''s not much different from what I expected." Lingke smiled, "Since you all love to gather so much, I''ll take this opportunity, under the cover of the war reports from those nine cities..." "To take the ''Moon'' first!" Chapter 32 - 031 : If Only Sirin Hadnt Been So Reckless Back Then... The Moon, a satellite approximately 380,000 kilometers away from the third planet of the solar system, Earth. Hundreds of thousands of kilometers... This distance is the limit that human technology in this era can barely reach. Ling ke knew that if the current world followed the original storyline, then after the "Earth''s God" was born... within a few years, the human civilization here would begin exploring Venus and Mars. However... "Aside from Welt Yang, who crossed parallel worlds through the ''Stargate''..." "The people here still haven''t been able to rely on their own strength (their own developed technology) to leave the solar system." "After all, even the ''Ark Project'' of the previous civilization era was cut short, becoming a ''delivery'' that could only be opened after more than 50,000 years." Inside the Dominion Theater, Ling ke''s true body came to the above conclusions. "So..." His gaze fell on the system screen in front of him. Inside, it clearly displayed: [Game Character Template: Medivac] [From: StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty] [Character Traits: Health Mechanism, Infinite Energy, Infinite Ammo, Indestructible Equipment, Heavy Armor - Mechanical Unit...] [Game Skills: Advanced Healing AI, Rapid Deployment Tube, Point Defense Drone, Load, Unload, Heal, Afterburners...] [Background Talents: Medical Bay, Trauma Station, Nanobot Repair, Laser Scalpel, Stim Pack, Dual-Channel Resuscitator, Warp System...] [Related Introduction: Full Name: G-226 Medical Transport, modified from the APOD-33 Transport, can be remotely controlled...] This was a brand-new game character template that Ling ke had drawn less than ten minutes ago. It was precisely because of its appearance that he decided to slightly modify the details of his plan on a whim. Yes, on a whim. Currently, Ling ke''s existing forces, which could be infinitely resurrected, numbered in the tens of thousands. With this base, after recently studying a large amount of knowledge related to "combat," he had already divided hundreds of Domination Puppets to form a think tank. Hmm, or it could also be called: the General Staff. To this day, aside from the General Staff, Ling ke also has an Information Department, Defense Department, Intelligence Department... and so on. With them, Ling ke no longer needs to personally handle many trivial matters. First of all, he no longer needs to constantly stare at the system interface, watching to see if it has brought him any new surprises. Because the members of the General Staff will, in real-time, based on his current situation and new gains, fine-tune, modify, and formulate more feasible plans. Right now, the plan Ling ke is executing has over a thousand contingency plans listed just to deal with emergencies. And this number is still increasing as one new game character panel after another arrives. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thus... "Our plan details are constantly changing." "This approach is quite foolish for an army composed of a large number of humans." "Because their efficiency in transmitting information to each other is far inferior to ours." "Moreover, trust, mood... there are too many variables that affect the details of the plan." "Only we, who are ''united as one,'' can perfectly utilize its strengths." "Namely: making the enemy completely unable to guess what we really want to do." Right. Ling ke knew that even though he could use the super learning ability brought by the "Herrscher of Domination" paired with the "World-Ending Player" identity to continuously enrich himself at a rate of thousands or even tens of thousands of times, he could still very likely be outsmarted by those world-class geniuses. No way, the people he''s facing now are Otto, Einstein, Tesla... and possibly even Mobius, Vill-V... He would not underestimate his enemies. Therefore... "A large number of ''feints'' will keep these enemies busy analyzing my true intentions." "Truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, blended together." "In the end, they won''t be able to come up with any answers." "They can only actively seek to talk to ''me.''" Look, this loop, after going around in a big circle, has come full circle again. And as for why the members of Ling ke''s General Staff suddenly suggested that he take over the Moon... "First, the appearance of the Medivac... its background talent''s built-in ''Warp System'' has already given us a certain degree of interstellar travel capability." "It can be said that if we''re just talking about the efficiency of traveling between Earth and the Moon, we can leave the three major organizations in the dust." "They have the ability to reach the Moon, but the number of people they can bring, the number of trips they can make, the cost they have to pay... are all forced to be very conservative." "And us... we have no consumption." "It is precisely because of this huge gap..." The Domination Puppets that make up Ling ke''s General Staff thought of the Second Honkai Impact storyline, where Sirin''s inflated ego led to her foolishly throwing away her life. Like... she could have just kept throwing meteorites from the Moon, raising her hand a few more times, and she could have destroyed all of humanity. But instead, she got cocky, returned to Earth herself, and got beaten up left and right. Looking at this kind of operation from the perspective of an "enemy of humanity," Ling ke really doesn''t know how to evaluate. You know, more than ten years ago, Earth''s human civilization couldn''t even send a few people to the Moon without great difficulty. But then Benares just casually flew to the Moon. And then this huge advantage was completely wasted by Sirin. Well, what''s done is done, no need to dwell on it. Now... "Sirin saw the so-called ''Will of Honkai'' in the ruins on the Moon." "And then she achieved her ''multi-core'' form." "Considering that this so-called Will of Honkai is actually a clone of the previous civilization era''s super AI ''Prometheus'' in disguise... uh~" "Could it be that she thought Sirin was brainless, so she dared to just throw so many gems at her to play around with?" Ling ke now had the leisure to make a joke. Of course, that''s a separate matter. The ruins of the past civilization on the Moon... he hadn''t had the means to think about them before, so naturally, he didn''t dwell on them. But now that he had the means, he naturally wanted to take control of them as soon as possible. Moreover, Sirin knew to throw meteorites when she went to the Moon... although she foolishly abandoned this optimal solution in the end, Ling ke wouldn''t miss this incredibly powerful, alternative "orbital weapon." His idea was simple... "Simply having my Domination Puppet army go out and kill is still too inefficient in terms of harvesting points." "If we switch to using meteorites..." Just look at Sirin''s "brief" results: tens of millions of deaths in a matter of days. "This is the legendary ''Rod from God.''" Ling ke sneered, then waved his hand... Whoosh~ Earth, the Australian desert. Numerous spatial gates opened on the surface. One after another, "Domination Puppet: Medivacs" emerged. Their engines were already ignited. Now, they slowly ascended, the sound of their engines growing louder. Finally... Thud~ Thud~ Thud~ Over a hundred "Domination Puppet: Medivacs" activated their warp systems. They set off in groups, like a swarm of shooting stars flying in reverse, heading straight for the bright moon. At the same time... "Hmph, I (we) thought Schicksal Headquarters'' network system would be more advanced." Ling ke''s subordinates¡ªthe Information Department. Over a hundred "Domination Puppet: Shadows" had already hacked into Schicksal Headquarters. They severed its external communications, as well as... its monitoring of Earth''s space. In fact, if they wanted to, they could make Schicksal Headquarters fall like "Sokovia" in the Marvel Cinematic Universe right now. But... "Now is not the time." Inside the Dominion Theater, Ling ke''s true body, hidden behind the scenes, smiled slightly, "The protagonist group''s ''talk no jutsu'' is here." "What a pity, for the current me..." He sneered, "There is no ''Talk no Jutsu.''" Chapter 33 - 032 : This is What the Herrscher of Domination is Like From the moment Ling ke''s General Staff, after he drew the new game character template "Medivac," decided on a whim to launch a surprise attack and occupy the Moon, and officially implemented this plan... less than two and a half minutes had passed in total. And during this process, the leaders, higher-ups, and core members of the three major organizations¡ªSchicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent¡ªhad already begun to adjust their mindsets. They knew that humanity now had to have a "dialogue" with Ling ke. Otherwise... In the previous era''s Earth human civilization, after the 10th Honkai Eruption, only 15% of the cities remained. This time, the losses would only be greater. Because what''s wreaking havoc across the world now isn''t just the "Thousand." It was under this premise... "Have you chosen your ''representative'' yet?" Inside the prison where space had been temporarily sealed by the Thousand Realms, the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke," after a round of cold mockery, had been waiting for a while. Even now, his demeanor, his aura, still exuded elegance. However, everyone present knew that beneath this elegant "mask" lay an extremely violent inner nature. Its source of motivation was resentment. Its name: "Revenge." Suddenly... "Nice to meet you, Mr. Ling ke." At the observation window, someone stepped forward. The result was not unexpected for Ling ke. The representative chosen by humanity happened to be the source of most of the malice¡ªOtto Apocalypse. It seemed that even Welt knew that in this situation, only this cunning old fox could possibly handle it. Of course, Dr. Tesla was clearly very unhappy with this arrangement. According to her: "Letting a black-hearted scumbag negotiate? How could the result be good?" Perhaps she was right. Because... "We are indeed meeting for the first time." Inside the secret room, the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" synchronized Ling ke''s own senses and was controlled by the latter. Then... "However, your name, as well as your various ''great achievements,'' are well-known to me." "After all, there are just so many of them." "Let me think..." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" sneered, shifting his gaze to Otto... and the person beside him, "Even today, with the three major organizations allied, you still haven''t officially revealed that ''Durandal is the real Kiana Kaslana,'' have you?" (TL/N: Damn.. bro immediately go strike for climax instead foreplay????) "!!!" A simple sentence. Directly detonates the emotions of... most of the negotiators on the human side. "What?" "Durandal is Cecilia''s..." "Me?" S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "..." For a moment, the three elders of Anti-Entropy, Theresa, Durandal herself, and even... K-423, who had received the name "Kiana Kaslana" from Siegfried years ago, all showed expressions of extreme shock. This news was too explosive. Because, among those present, aside from Otto, Rita... and a very few others, people like Theresa and even the white-haired, blue-eyed girl had thought that the real Kiana Kaslana had long since passed away. But in the end... "Should I say, as expected of the ''Kaslana + Schariac'' bloodline?" "Not only the descendant of the strongest MANTIS, but also possessing the special Schariac Holy Blood." "Even as a child, without any training, even after falling from tens of thousands of meters in the air, landing headfirst, she still survived." "Unfortunately, even with such top-tier talent that millions envy, she was still completely manipulated by someone, even considering this mother-killing enemy her mentor." "I really want to ask now: How does it feel? The real ''Kiana Kaslana.''" "Oh, wait..." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" smiled, "Now, even this name doesn''t belong to you." "Because it was given away by your biological father, hahahaha!" After hearing all this... "Bastard!" Dr. Tesla was already gritting her teeth. It''s unclear whether her angry curse was directed at the sarcastic "Ling ke" or... the mastermind behind all this¡ªOtto. Probably both. However... "Durandal, oh Durandal." "You, hailed as the strongest S-rank Valkyrie in history, do you think your achievements today are all due to your relentless efforts?" The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" smiled slightly, "You''ve been unknowingly feeding those Valkyries who admire you poisonous chicken soup all day long, never realizing... that you are the biggest beneficiary of bloodline supremacy." "This world has never been fair. Ordinary people could train until they die, and they still wouldn''t be able to withstand a single Honkai radiation burst." "But you can anchor a world bubble... do you really dare to say this is all the result of your ''efforts''?" "And..." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" revealed a truth in the most malicious way, "Guess what, the comrade you''ve always trusted, the one you rushed to save just now, do you think she knows your true identity?" "..." At the observation window, Durandal looked at her short-haired colleague in disbelief, "Rita, you..." "..." "Rita was assigned to your side by me." At this moment, Otto''s calm voice reached everyone''s ears. He didn''t even turn to look at Durandal, at this "most outstanding student" of his. Instead, he straightforwardly said, "I needed to ensure you would grow up correctly." "..." Durandal fell silent. Without a doubt, her heart... was in turmoil. Because the current situation was really bad. Durandal hadn''t awakened in the Kaslana Stigmata Space during her confrontation with Otto, ultimately achieving "Tian Yuan." Instead, her scars had been cruelly exposed by Ling ke. And most importantly... "Kiana..." Beside her, Raiden Mei and Bronya were both very worried about the white-haired girl''s state. But now, they didn''t even know if they should continue to call her "Kiana." The reason for this was clearly not because they looked down on her for being an experimental subject. But... the terribly bad situation was that the real "Kiana Kaslana" was standing not far away. It must be said, Lingke''s choice to reveal the relevant truth at this moment was truly...ingenious. Once again, everyone felt the malice of this era''s "Herrscher of Domination." And they vaguely had a feeling... This is just the beginning! If humanity can''t overcome this level of malice, then there''s naturally no need to hope for any so-called "dialogue." Therefore... "A name is just a label." The Sovereign of World Serpent... Kevin, suddenly spoke, "The belief in one''s heart must remain unshakable." "Only then can one be considered a qualified warrior." Hearing these words... "Is that so?" The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" smiled. He didn''t wait for the meaning of Kevin''s words to ferment in the hearts of others before directly asking, "Kevin Kaslana... I remember your belief is¡ªno matter the cost, humanity will definitely overcome the Honkai!" "That''s also your promise, right?" "Then, here''s the question." "I know that the current you would sacrifice ''humanity'' itself to overcome the Honkai." "But what if the cost were different..." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" spread his hands, transforming into a humanoid scale once again, "For example: if you could overcome the Honkai by personally killing your beloved... could you do it?" "Remember, not those plausible existences in the world bubbles, but the one from over 50,000 years ago... the final leader of the Moth That Chased the Flame." "She should be the highest chip in your heart, worthy of the ''no matter the cost'' you speak of." "..." Kevin fell silent. His fists clenched. Clearly, his heart was not at peace. In the end... "This is just useless talk." Kevin said in a deep voice. "But you avoided my question." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" smiled mockingly, "Tsk tsk, no matter the cost... sigh, you and Raiden Mei over there are the same, always spouting pretty words." "And..." Inside the Dominion Theater, Ling ke''s true body revealed a dangerous smile. He finally threw out a terrifying bait... "Who told you that what I said was just useless talk?" Chapter 34 - 033 : More Than Just Faith... At this moment, the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke''s" words caused everyone present to pause for a moment. They... didn''t immediately understand what he meant. "What do you mean by ''not empty talk''?" Dr. Tesla''s eyes widened, "Could this guy really have the ability to resurrect the dead?" As soon as she finished speaking... "No, no, no, no." What she never expected was that the person with the most intense emotional fluctuations at this moment was¡ªOtto. The one who had schemed for over 500 years, manipulated the lives of others, clearly believed in the power of "love," yet had always unscrupulously exploited it... the old monster. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then she heard... "This world does not allow a body to recollect a dissipated consciousness." At this moment, Otto seemed to have already forgotten everything else. Alliance? Dialogue? None of it mattered. He had to confirm one thing... "You cannot have the ability to resurrect the dead." "This world does not have such convenient power!" He said with certainty. This was also the final research conclusion he had reached after hundreds of years of exhaustive effort and dehumanization. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have formulated such a plan... "Otto Apocalypse." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" suddenly spoke, "Has anyone ever told you that you are actually quite arrogant?" "..." Otto suddenly became extremely calm. As if his brief moment of hysteria earlier had been an act. But in fact, that wasn''t the case. He had truly "panicked" earlier. Because, if Ling ke really had the power to resurrect the dead, then the current situation... without a doubt, was the last thing he wanted to see. But Otto was that kind of person. His emotions were no longer within the realm of ordinary people. He could still get angry, but... he could quickly calm down. This... in a way, could undoubtedly be considered a different kind of "inhumanity" compared to Ling ke. And now... "Your arrogance does not allow any situation to exceed your expectations." "That''s why, decades ago, ''Welt Joyce'' was so important to you, and later made you so furious." "Because you miscalculated with him... more than once." "Over ten years ago, you also launched a Honkai fission bomb at Siberia for this reason." "Because the power Siegfried displayed, called ''Artificial Stigma,'' made you experience this feeling once again." "Very uncomfortable, very unhappy." "So, obviously with your scheming, you had countless ways to indirectly harness these powers, even using your sweet words, coercion, inducement, and deception... to limit and control everything they possessed." "To make them work for you." "But you still chose the most direct destruction!" "Otto, oh Otto!" The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" spoke words that struck at the heart, "In your heart, is it your faith in Kallen that matters more, or... is it that your persistence to resurrect the former Saint Kallen is just to prove that you can resist the iron laws of this world?" "..." Otto did not respond. But the anger in his eyes... how many years had it been since he had shown it so plainly? At this moment, the so-called "Tyrant of the Heavens" was not at peace. Although he still believed that the words of the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" were just tarnishing his faith in Kallen. But... "If the world does not allow a container to collect a dissipated consciousness, then if I still manage to give Kallen a new life, wouldn''t that mean... I''ve won?" The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" deliberately said, "I must say, Otto, you are indeed a ''Fool.''" "Daring to challenge the world and taking action, not just shouting slogans..." "Just this point alone, I somewhat admire you." "Even though your life, from beginning to end, has been more of a ''clown.''" At this point, Ling ke, hidden behind the scenes... indirectly revealed the truth, "Yes, just like hundreds of years ago, when many people who came to the execution ground were already prepared to create accidents and let Kallen escape, it was because of you... it was you who made those Honkai beasts appear, forcing Kallen, who remained true to her original intention, to protect the people, ultimately leading to her death." "Now, also because of you, condoning... even supporting multiple branches of the Schicksal organization in conducting inhumane human experiments, the only one with the ability to resurrect, me, has completely stood on the opposite side of you." "Ling ke''s" voice was indifferent, "You will no longer have the opportunity to fulfill your long-cherished wish." "And, remember..." He raised his right hand, index finger, staring directly at the silent golden-haired figure, "This is all your own doing." "A price is always exacted for what fate bestows, Isn''t it?" (TL/N: damn copy cat. leave Adam quote alone bro) "I am now looking forward to the day when I can see you, who also lives for your obsession, completely collapsed." At this point... Otto still did not say a word. The familiar feeling returned. That discomfort of the situation was completely out of control... And this time, it was the most intense. People are complex. Ling ke, who deliberately used words to provoke Otto, knew this very well. Was Otto determined to resurrect Kallen to rebel against the world? Perhaps! But this was not the only reason. This man''s faith in Kallen was also real. Who could say that there could only be one reason for achieving something? However, Ling ke, knowing all this, still chose to strike at the heart. This was his basic advantage as a traverser with foresight, the intelligence advantage of being one step ahead. To the point where now, on Schicksal''s side, aside from "Amber," who was here as an assistant, Otto, Durandal, and Rita were all in turmoil. Even though they were trying hard to disguise, it was useless. Because something so obvious could even be seen by Theresa. Her grandfather... this state of his was the first time she had seen it in her nearly fifty years of life. Moreover, Ling ke''s vicious words had affected far more than just these few people. Kiana... Theresa didn''t even know how to address her now. The timing and setting of the truth came out were too bad. Everything was Ling ke''s design. "Why does he know so much?" At this moment, everyone present couldn''t help but think of this. Indeed, the various intelligence Ling ke currently possessed could no longer be explained simply by "high-level investigative techniques." Because there were many things that only a few people knew. Even, limited to the parties involved. And... "A few years ago, when Ling ke first appeared in Nagazora City, he inexplicably saw through Cocolia''s plan." "And before that, there was no trace of any information about him." "It was as if he had appeared out of thin air in Nagazora City... someone who shouldn''t have existed." Thinking about this, and taking it a step further, combining these thoughts... "Aponia." Kevin''s mind flashed with this name. He seemed to have figured out the truth. Ling ke can predict the future! Chapter 35 - 034 : What Exactly Did the In fact, among those present, it wasn''t just Kevin who thought of the possibility that "Ling ke can predict the future." Because all of World Serpent''s executives are qualified to enter the "Elysian Realm" for trials. Although not everyone can meet all the Flame-Chasers, especially Aponia, who deliberately hid herself and had already integrated into the Elysian Realm over 50,000 years ago. But... Raiden Mei did it. She has met all the Flame-Chasers'' memory fragments. Therefore... Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So, that''s how it is." At this moment, standing at the observation window, she looked at the black-haired young man in the secret room, her expression dim. If Ling ke really has the ability to predict the future, then... "Then back then, the first thing he thought of was to help me." "If I had chosen to trust him back then, I could have avoided those tragedies." "Whether it was what happened to me, or what happened in Nagazora." "Even now..." Waves of regret surged in her heart. Unfortunately, it was too late. Now, the "Calamity" has awakened. It was they who pushed it to this point. Opposition has become inevitable. But even so... "I''m sorr..." Boom! Her subconscious apology was cut short. Everyone felt a tremor beneath their feet. Then, a strong sense of weightlessness hit them. "!!!" At the observation window, nearly everyone''s face showed shock. Because they immediately confirmed one fact... Schicksal Headquarters... this floating island was falling. At this moment, the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke," trapped in the chamber sealed by the Thousand Realms, revealed a mocking, mischievous smile. Just moments ago... while he was debating with the members of the three major organizations, his main force had already successfully occupied the Moon. Now, the overall situation has been determined. Dozens of giant meteorites were rapidly approaching the Earth''s surface. Ling ke, hidden behind the scenes, believed that this "first dialogue" no longer needed to continue. Because the malicious plan he had secretly devised did not require meeting too many people at once. And if he wanted to separate the members of the three major organizations and have them meet "himself" in batches, then he had to... "First, bring up topics they absolutely cannot ignore, and at the same time... create troubles that must be handled by high-end combat power." "For example: a meteorite disaster identical to the one during the ''Second Honkai Impact.''" Inside the Dominion Theater, Ling ke''s true body smiled slightly, even leisurely sipping the red wine by his hand. To be honest, this stuff... he didn''t used to like it. But now, he was slowly starting to enjoy it. Of course, what he liked even more now was... the game. This super-large game with the Earth of the Honkai Impact 3rd world as its stage, where he was personally involved. Main Quest: Break their hearts, precise revenge. Side Quest: Kill, go on a killing spree. In progress!!! ****** At the same time... "Bastard!" The intense sense of weightlessness caused most of the higher-ups of the three major organizations to panic. This was Schicksal Headquarters, this was a floating island! If this thing fell from the sky... "Einstein, and Bronya, you all come and help." Although Dr. Tesla had a bad temper, her ability to adapt on the spot was truly outstanding. While shouting loudly, she had already started tinkering with the electronic device on her arm. Hearing her reminder... Dr. Einstein had already entered the zone, even before Dr. Tesla called her "Einstein," she had taken out a handheld electronic device and was operating it frantically. As for Bronya... compared to the two seniors, her adaptability was obviously inferior. But her reaction speed wasn''t slow either, it''s just that... Tesla and Einstein were more experienced and excellent. At this moment, virtual screens appeared around Bronya... Clearly, she, Tesla, and Einstein were trying to regain control of Schicksal Headquarters'' floating island''s electronic systems. Realizing this fact... "Amber, assist them." "Yes, Archbishop!" Otto issued the order without turning his head. As his words fell, his "assistant secretary" nodded and immediately shared the components of Schicksal Headquarters'' electronic security system with Bronya, Tesla, and Einstein. It must be said, Otto''s decisive action was truly bold. But, unfortunately... Bronya and the others were facing siege from over a hundred "Domination Puppet: Shadows." In this situation, even if a single "Shadow''s" hacking skills were not inferior to the three of them, even if they were slightly inferior, with the numbers overwhelmingly in their favor, the latter group had an absolute advantage. Moreover, the "Domination Puppet: Shadows" had already taken action, their preparations were thorough, while Bronya and the others only started acting hastily after the attack began... "It''s no use, we can''t regain control before the floating island crashes." Tesla shouted, "We need to think of another way." "Immediately, evacuate everyone!" Durandal made a decisive choice, one that fit her character. Otto did not stop her. However, Otto knew, and Kevin knew. Even Welt realized a terrifying fact... That is: since Schicksal Headquarters was now falling, Ling ke''s Domination Puppets army would definitely not just stand by and watch. Because the latter group feared no death and could completely exchange life for life at this critical moment. So... Boom! Kevin moved. At this moment, he did not use the 7th Divine Key, the Key of Destruction, Judgement of Shamash. Instead, he punched through the high-strength glass of the observation window and leaped into the cell sealed by the Thousand Realms. Instantly, he stood before the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke." "State your terms!" He went straight to the point, no nonsense. After all, now was not the time for nonsense. The several floating islands that made up Schicksal Headquarters... no matter how high they usually floated, there would always be a moment when they would crash and shatter. Now, as it continued to fall, every second was a race against death. Of course, with Kevin''s strength, as the strongest MANTIS, he had no fear of such a crisis. But the tens of thousands of staff members stationed at Schicksal Headquarters would all be doomed. Therefore, he came. But looking at the black-haired young man before him... "?" The "Dominator Puppet: Ling ke" was visibly stunned. He didn''t expect that the person he most wanted to meet alone would appear before him so quickly. Looking at the surrounding situation... Utter chaos. Everyone else was too busy to care. The prerequisites... were already met. So... "I want to enter the Elysian Realm." He directly conveyed Ling ke''s true body''s wish, "Remember, alone." "..." Kevin did not immediately agree. But there was no time for him to remain silent. So, just a few seconds later, he asked, "What exactly do you want to do?" Hearing this, "Ling ke" smiled. Then, taking advantage of the surrounding chaos, the noise completely drowning out the cell''s audio system... he leaned close to Kevin and whispered a few words. "!!!" The latter''s icy face actually showed an expression of extreme shock at this moment. (TL/N: Kevin.. is shocked?) Even the way he looked at the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" carried a hint of... horror? The strongest MANTIS, whose will was as solid as ice, actually felt fear? And why... in this inexplicable fear, was there also a hint of... hope? (TL/N: Damn what the heck he whisper is?) It must be said, it''s a good thing his change in expression wasn''t seen by others. After a while... "You, are you really not just talking nonsense?" Even though Schicksal Headquarters was still falling, Kevin suddenly changed his previous approach, as if... he no longer cared about the safety of ordinary people. As for the content of his question... "Don''t worry about me breaking my promise, because this is my revenge plan." "You should know that such a situation is exactly the result I most want to see." The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" smiled and said, "Of course, if you leak the secret, I will not hesitate to take more violent measures." "For example: a collision between the Earth and the Moon." "At that time, I will make sure that the Earth''s human civilization in this world has no future." "How about it?" At this point, under the remote control of Lingke''s true body, he said the question that Kevin himself was all too familiar with, "Friend or foe..." "Choose!" This time, Kevin didn''t hesitate at all, giving his answer without any further thought, "Fine!" "I agree to this deal." At this moment, judging by his tone, it was clear... The content of the deal they mentioned... had nothing to do with "stopping the destruction of Schicksal Headquarters." But rather... something even more terrifying. (TL/N: so it''s more terrifying than many meteor gonna strike on earth!?) Chapter 36 - 035 : The Curtain of the Finale Boom! The several floating islands that made up Schicksal Headquarters ultimately all crash-landed in the Mediterranean Sea. For a moment, towering waves surged, and the earth shook. The several floating islands were all shattered. At this moment, the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke," who had previously made the three major organizations believe that they were truly bound by the Thousand Realms, was suspended in mid-air using the most basic Herrscher ability of flight. Beside him stood the silver-haired, blue-eyed man¡ªKevin Kaslana, actually standing shoulder to shoulder with him. What exactly had happened before this moment? Buzz~ High above, on the deck of a massive floating battleship, orange-yellow light flickered continuously. One after another, people in white lab coats or special combat attire appeared. They were all permanent staff of Schicksal Headquarters. There were scholars, soldiers, and active Valkyries. Finally... "Buzz~" A peculiarly shaped train engine landed with a crash. That was the Second Divine Key¡ªEternal Key¡¤Thousand Realms. "They sure know how to quickly make the right judgment in a crisis." In mid-air, the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" muttered to himself. However, his tone was full of mockery. All because... "Out of the tens of thousands of staff members stationed at the Schicksal Headquarters, less than a thousand were saved." Inside the Dominion Theater, Ling ke''s true body smiled slightly, "It seems someone is going to blame themselves... and suffer." "What a pity..." Just as he had thought before, similar incidents happening a few more times... even if they continued in the future, it wouldn''t be enough to "break their hearts." It would only add to the hatred value of humanity. That''s not what Ling ke wanted. Look... "You bastard!" On the deck of the Hyperion, Dr. Tesla, upon seeing the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" suspended in mid-air not far away, was still the first to burst into a loud curse. As for the others... "This is troublesome!" Otto was more concerned about the figure standing next to the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke." "Why did Kevin Kaslana suddenly defect?" He couldn''t figure it out. But in his mind, he vaguely felt that he had already caught some clues, but... they had all been ignored by him. At this moment... Whoosh~ Whoosh~ Whoosh~ In the sky, a fire suddenly appeared. Instantly, everyone on the deck of the Hyperion was drawn to it. "That, that is..." Durandal, Bronya, even "Kiana" and Raiden Mei all widened their eyes. That was... a shooting star from the heavens. A giant meteorite! "Everyone!" In the distance, in mid-air, the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" flew to an even higher position. With his hands spread open, like an elegant announcer, he smiled and said, "At this moment of Stars Fall, I will present to the world the grandest performance of this era." "The prologue has begun!" "Fear! Wail!" "And then..." "Struggle desperately to resist!" "Perhaps, you (humanity) still have a glimmer of hope." At this point, before anyone on the Hyperion could react. Buzz~ sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A spatial gate opened. But it wasn''t a gate leading to the Dominion Theater. Instead, it was a long-distance portal opened by the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" using the authority of the "Herrscher of the Void" he had previously plundered. As he entered it, Kevin followed. "Wait!" Witnessing this scene, Durandal could no longer hold back. At this moment, wearing the "Bright Knight: Excelsis" Valkyrie armor, she leaped up, trying to stop the two from leaving. However... Click~ The spatial gate disappeared too quickly. The "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" and Kevin both vanished from the spot. Durandal was too late. At this moment... "Bronya has tracked the coordinates of that spatial gate''s opening." It must be said that Bronya''s progress is really fast. Previously, her efficiency in adapting to changing circumstances was not as good as Tesla and Einstein. But now, after just a short while, while others were still confused, Bronya had already used the Thousand Realms beside her to retrieve important information that was of great value to her. In fact, the reason they were able to save hundreds of people just as Schicksal Headquarters was about to fall was precisely because Bronya borrowed the space-shifting power of the Second Divine Key. Although, out of the tens of thousands of staff members, the vast majority couldn''t be saved. But at that time, it was almost a case of saving whoever they could. And now... "Bronya, well done!" Tesla rarely heard good news, "Where did those two bastards... go?" "The African continent, the Sahara Desert." Bronya reported a general location. Hearing this... "That''s World Serpent''s headquarters!" After Raiden Mei gave the reminder in a deep voice, he frowned and muttered to himself, "Kevin, why did he suddenly..." Subconsciously, Raiden Mei looked at the "abandoned" Raven, Jackal, and... Gray Serpent. Click~ Unexpectedly, Gray Serpent shutdown his own mechanical body. Clearly, he had no intention of cooperating with their side. As for Raven and Jackal... "Don''t look at me, I''m just a hired hand, I couldn''t possibly know what the Lord is thinking." Raven raised her hands in a very single manner, responding like this. Jackal''s expression was much uglier than hers. Even though she wore a mask, only the lower half of her face was visible, but it was clear that her mood was absolutely unhappy. Clearly, knowing that she had been treated as a "pawn," she was far from as accepting as Raven. But in the end... Sigh~ Jackal... Cleo Hypatia, let out a long sigh. "It seems my ''retirement'' has come earlier than expected." "Though I didn''t think it would be this much earlier." These cryptic words made no sense to anyone else. Raiden Mei also knew that it was unlikely she would get any answers from these two. She turned to the others and spoke bluntly, "No matter why Kevin suddenly turned against us, or what Ling ke is planning, we must stop them." "Next, I plan to head straight to World Serpent''s headquarters... What are your plans?" Upon hearing this... Durandal looked up at the fiery streaks in the sky. "We''ll handle shooting down those meteorites. We absolutely cannot let them hit the ground, or else..." Or else, the catastrophic disaster that claimed tens of millions of lives during the Second Honkai Eruption would repeat itself. And this time, it could be even worse. At this moment, Durandal was already preparing to move. In truth, if given enough time, she might have had a slim chance of shooting down all the meteorites. But reality was cruel. Dozens of meteorites, under Ling ke''s deliberate arrangement, were already hurtling toward nine different coordinates simultaneously. These were the nine cities Rita had not chosen. Faced with this situation, no matter how high Durandal''s potential was, she would be stretched too thin to handle it all. In other words, she now had to make the same "sacrificial" choice Rita had made earlier. Fortunately, at that moment... Welt suddenly interjected. "The meteorite problem should be left to us." "Kevin Kaslana is the strongest MANTIS warrior from the Previous Era." "Regardless of the reason, now that he has turned against us, only a Valkyrie of your caliber, Durandal, can stand against him and Ling ke." "And as Raiden Mei said, we cannot sit idly by and let these two carry out whatever they''re planning." "They are likely executing some highly destructive plan..." As he spoke, he glanced at Otto, who was standing not far away. This man had remained completely silent since earlier, as if he had already detached himself from the situation entirely. Now, with the leaders of the three major organizations¡ªOtto silent, Kevin defected¡ªWelt had no choice but to step up. He quickly allocated the remaining forces among the three factions. Meanwhile, Raiden Mei summoned Kurikara and rode the dragon forward. Others tasked with confronting Kevin and Ling ke, such as Kiana, Bronya, Fu Hua, Theresa, and so on, boarded the Hyperion''s high-speed ship¡ªHelios. Helios, the sun god of Greek mythology. Now, those who boarded this ship... Would they, like Helios, bring the sun (hope) to the world? Or... When Helios'' chariot passed through the sky, would what follow... Be eternal night (despair) Chapter 37 - 036 : The Calamity Falls from the Sky Somewhere beneath the Sahara Desert in Africa, at a hidden coordinate, lay the headquarters of World Serpent. Hum! An orange spatial gate, corresponding to the Herrscher of Void''s authority, opened. "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" and Kevin appeared together at this location. The former had just steadied himself. Hum~ Hum~ Hum~ Numerous spatial gates directly connected to the Dominator Theater rapidly opened all around them. From within emerged a massive army of Domination Puppets, each loaded with various game character templates. They surrounded the entire World Serpent headquarters, leaving no room for escape. Even the underground base was quickly infiltrated. Every corridor, every doorway, was secured. After completing this... "Good, the preparations to welcome our ''guests'' are complete." Ling ke tilted his head slightly and looked to his side. "Mr. Kevin, after you." "Once our transaction is complete, you will receive your reward." Hearing this... "Can I really trust you?" Kevin asked coldly. To be honest, this was somewhat redundant. After all, he had already made his choice through his actions. However, Ling ke''s mood was clearly quite good at the moment. Because his revenge plan was about to reach its final "step." Even he, the mastermind behind the plan, hadn''t expected it to go so smoothly. Thus, the black-haired youth indirectly controlling Domination Puppet: Ling ke patiently replied. "Of course, you can trust me." The black-haired youth beside Kevin smiled. "After all, from the very beginning, you were never my enemy." "I have no need for revenge against you, so I will simply fulfill our transaction." "And the content of that transaction is the result of my revenge." "That result is something you wish to see as well... isn''t it?" Kevin didn''t respond. Suddenly, Ling ke spoke again. "Apologies for earlier. In order to relay information, I said some things about Dr. MEI that must have upset you." The black-haired youth glanced at the "Savior" beside him. "You and Raiden Mei are not the same." "Your promises are not empty words." "You truly have the courage to sacrifice everything." "Otherwise, you wouldn''t be walking alongside me (evil) now." Hearing this... "We both know this isn''t the behavior of a ''hero,''" Kevin said solemnly. "Indeed!" Lingke smirked. "But it is the choice of a ''MANTIS!''" "You were like this in the past, and you remain so now." "Like moths to a flame, not seeking destruction, but... striving for life through death!" Hearing such an evaluation from a Herrscher, the enemy of humanity, directed at him, a warrior fighting against the Honkai... "..." Kevin remained silent. He simply nodded indifferently. Then, he took the lead and began walking forward. And the direction he headed... Was toward the Elysian Realm. --- Meanwhile, on the other side... On the far side of the Moon, within the ruins of a bygone civilization. [Current Points for ''World-Ending Player'': 37,915,259] Because Lingke was the Herrscher of Dominance, who operated under the principle of "unity of all minds," every Domination Puppet could, through quantum entanglement-based communication, instantly know how many points the "World-Ending Player" bound to the main body had accumulated. It had to be said, the tactic of hurling massive meteorites from the Moon directly at Earth was indeed an unstoppable move. During this time, Welt had instructed the high-tier combatants of humanity, including Durandal, to head to North Africa to confront Lingke and Kevin. Meanwhile, he, Tesla, and Einstein were tasked with uniting the remaining forces of humanity to resist the meteorite disaster. Unsurprisingly, humanity resorted to using the "Silver Bullets." During the Second Honkai Eruption, Anti-Entropy had used similar tactics in their initial attempts to counter the Honkai. But back then, facing the multi-core Sirin, the Silver Bullets, with their range of hundreds of thousands of kilometers, were all disabled by electromagnetic pulses. Now, they didn''t have to worry as much about that. However, while this particular issue wasn''t a major concern, other problems arose, such as: "The Moon has plenty of massive rocks, but do you (humans) have enough weapons in stock?" On the Moon, numerous Dominator Puppets were using the Herrscher of Void''s authority to cut and transport meteorites. Clearly, they were planning to wage a war of attrition. Until humanity''s supply of Silver Bullets was completely exhausted. Or... Boom! [Current Points for ''World-Ending Player'': 56,713,299] The point value of the "World-Ending Player" suddenly skyrocketed by nearly 20 million. Without a doubt, this meant that in that single moment, 20 million people on Earth had perished. And the only possible cause for this was... "Even if your weapon stockpiles aren''t exhausted, you (humans) won''t be able to stop all the giant meteorites." This was simply too frequent... a veritable "saturation bombardment." Yes. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now that Ling ke had allied with Kevin, and his revenge plan had entered its final phase, the cities targeted by the Dominator Puppets were no longer limited to the nine previously mentioned in front of Rita. Instead, they were chosen randomly, without discrimination. This was truly the end of the world. After today, even if humanity on Earth in the Honkai Impact 3rd world does not go extinct, the social order of the past will cease to exist. Because the tsunamis, earthquakes... and even volcanic eruptions caused by the impact of giant meteorites will stir up massive amounts of dust, spreading throughout the atmosphere. This dust will block most of the sunlight, causing the global temperature to plummet. Yes, after the scorching meteor shower, there will be bone-chilling cold. And without even considering the troubles that will arise in the future... Right now... Boom! Boom! Boom! [Current Points for ''World-Ending Player'': 156,759,213] More and more giant meteorites have become the swords of divine judgment raining down upon the Earth of the Honkai Impact 3rd world. Each one that falls from the sky means the disappearance of at least one city. Now, nations around the world, as well as Welt, Tesla, Einstein, and others, are overwhelmed. The foul-mouthed lobster doctor hasn''t stopped cursing. However, compared to their predicament, Ling ke is... "Who would have thought I''d encounter the awkward situation of having so many points that I can''t even spend them all on gacha pulls?" Yes. The "World-Ending Player" doesn''t have a "consume all points at once" function. Drawing game character templates... either you get lucky with a single pull, or you''re stuck doing ten-pulls over and over. There''s no pity system! These days, the interface for randomly drawing new game character templates in the "World-Ending Player System" hasn''t stopped. Now, it''s oversaturated and overwhelmed. "Whatever, I''ll just wait for the new rewards to come to me." Inside the Dominator Theater, Ling ke has come to terms with it. As mentioned earlier, he''s in a good mood right now. So good that he''s even willing to praise someone. In any case, his meticulously prepared revenge plan is nearing completion, and he can''t wait to see the expressions on his enemies'' faces when everything is set in stone. At this moment, the final piece of the puzzle for this plan will be obtained in the Elysian Realm. After that... "It''s time to meet the so-called ''Will of Honkai.'' Chapter 38 - 037 : The The Will of Honkai. Once, before Ling ke transmigrated and reached the final chapters of Honkai Impact 3rd, he thought this was some god-like, transcendent concept. But it turned out that the so-called "Will of Honkai" was actually a bug-like creation from the end of the Previous Era, created by the world-class scholars led by Dr. MEI, in collaboration with the last few MANTIS warriors. Prometheus-17. This super AI, designed by Dr. MEI, was formed during the "Final Battle" over 50,000 years ago, when the Flame-Chaser Pardofelis sacrificed herself to open a "gate" directly connected to the "Cocoon of Finality." This created the shackle known as the "Will of Honkai." Her existence ensured that the types of Herrschers born in the Current Era, over 50,000 years later, remained nearly identical to those of the Previous Era. And on this foundation, she provided humanity with as many conveniences as possible. This is why, during the Second Honkai Eruption, a multi-core Herrscher who had no idea how to properly use her abilities suddenly appeared. At the same time, the reason Otto was able to achieve the status of "False God" in the original storyline was also due to this convenience. After all, his "Tree of Origin Plan" was inspired by hints from the so-called Will of Honkai. During the Second Honkai Eruption, the Will of Honkai even kindly fed him a lot of advanced knowledge. Of course, there were benefits too. Because Otto''s successful "tree rush" directly bugged out the most troublesome Herrscher of Binding. Well, enough digressions. Right now... "Hello there, Fire Thief (Prometheus)." In a pure white space. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ling ke saw another version of himself. A statue-like figure, with only an outline and no color... himself. This is the so-called "Will of Honkai." "You should know what I''m about to do." Without waiting for the other party to silently ask, Ling ke spoke on his own. "My true revenge plan... the ''Branch-Cutting'' Plan." "To turn time back... to over 50,000 years ago!" Yes, this is the "main course" Ling ke has meticulously prepared for his enemies. At the same time, it is also the "salvation" plan through which he, the "Apocalypse Player," will reap the greatest rewards alongside Kevin. This is the truth behind Kevin''s sudden betrayal. For Kevin, defeating the Honkai is an obsession, a promise. For Kevin, the humans of this era cannot necessarily be considered his "kind." For Kevin, the "Stigma Project," which promises a beautiful dream for billions of ordinary people, is the worst plan, but he would still carry it out without hesitation. For Kevin... If someone can surpass everything in the "Final Trial" he has become, he wouldn''t mind becoming a stepping stone for the new generation. But... "I will give the Previous Era a ''second chance.''" "Or, I will make the entire Earth cease to exist." "Do you want to see the spectacle of stars shattering?" "Or... abandon this era and reclaim everything that was lost?" At that moment, Kevin felt the greatest malice in the world. Or perhaps... the most twisted "kindness." Ling ke... a Herrscher born from the evils of humanity. A post-natural paradox. He wants to help me "save the world!" But not to make the world a better place. Rather... purely out of a desire for revenge against a specific group of people. Because one thing is obvious. If his plan succeeds... "If I successfully turn time back over 50,000 years, then when the Previous Era... that is, the Previous Civilization Era, escapes its doomed fate, this Current Era will, like a branch cut from the Imaginary Tree, simultaneously... cease to exist." "I will ensure that this timeline does not produce any branches." "At that time, the special state of this era will be neither a terrifying ''hell'' nor a deeper ''abyss,'' but... complete ''nothingness.''" "Salvation" is also "destruction." "Destruction" while also bringing "salvation" to another era. The two are cause and effect. Except, one side wins everything. And the other side will... lose everything! And who benefits and who suffers will be decided solely by Lingke. Because this... is his revenge! On this foundation... "Just as Otto''s Tree of Origin Plan included a backup that allowed people inside Kolosten to travel back 500 years, I can also bring the people I designate to the Previous Civilization Era over 50,000 years ago." "They are unaffected by ''temporal paradoxes,'' transcending time and continuing to exist." "But only they will continue to exist!" Once, someone asked: What is more cruel than everyone dying? Someone answered: Being the only one left alive. Clearly, Ling ke is now facilitating this scenario. "And when that happens..." Inside the Dominator Theater, Ling ke''s expression is manic. "Cause precedes effect... My ''guests (enemies)'' who wish to save their era, to turn this rotten fruit from ''nothingness'' back into ''existence,'' must..." "Allow the Previous Civilization Era to once again march toward its predetermined end." "Thus..." Ling ke stands up from his throne. Though there is nothing in front of him, he still laughs with a crazed, unhinged expression, as if addressing an invisible audience. He mocks, his demeanor having long shed the mask of "elegance." "You self-righteous hypocrites who fight for all that is beautiful in the world, will you abandon your era and let it become true ''nothingness,'' or will you strive to save it by personally destroying someone else''s ''second chance''?" "HAHAHAHA!" "Otto, Rita, Bronya, Raiden Mei..." "Transcending time, unbound by ''paradoxes,'' you will surely put on a magnificent show for me." "At that time, I will choose the most comfortable seat and watch your disgraceful performances." "With Otto around, I won''t even need to stir the pot. You''ll tear each other apart on your own." "Spend the rest of your lives struggling in endless torment!" "That sight will be truly beautiful." "This ultimate performance, staged on the world itself, betting on two eras... will surely fill the ''void'' in my heart." Ling ke gently touches his chest. "In the end, I will be reborn..." "I will... be reborn!" --- In Ling ke''s homeland, there is an old saying: "One man''s hero is another man''s enemy!" Now, as a Herrscher seeking to destroy humanity, Ling ke stands on the opposite side of the world. And what he plans to do is: switch sides. Without a doubt, as a villain, he doesn''t care about any of this. But his enemies... Aside from Otto, none of them can bear it. "Fight for all that is beautiful in the world?" What if... the beauty in your eyes must be built upon the suffering of others? Don''t you love to self-deceptively ignore those who are "sacrificed"? Then I will bring everything into the open, forcing you to no longer selectively overlook it. Belief? Mission? Without Schicksal, who will fight against the Honkai? Sorry, but for the Previous Era, which has been given a "second chance," you are the "evil" ones. Especially Raiden Mei. She has been to the Elysian Realm and received the gifts of the "Thirteen Flame-Chasers." To her, Elysia, Eden, Vill-V, Sakura, Griseo... they are all her friends. And once Lingke''s "Branch-Cutting" Plan is completed... How will she face them, now that their stances have diverged? Thus, there are only two outcomes. Either she gives up everything and lives a life of regret. Or she persists to the end, still living a life of regret. No matter what, pain will forever accompany her. This is the worst kind of deadlock, where no choice is right. Of course, if Raiden Mei and the others had the chance to obtain the power to rewrite the timeline, they could also "break through with sheer force." But would Ling ke, sitting in the audience, allow such a thing to happen? Obviously, not! He is like the Emperor Nero, who had a twisted obsession with art, and he will absolutely protect his Golden Theater. Before the "performance" ends... No one can leave. And no one can remain untouched. Thus, today... "Then, the deal is done." In the pure white space, Ling ke smiled with satisfaction. When he came to his senses, he was already standing within the Finality Ruins on the Moon. Meanwhile, on the other side... "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" had also arrived at the Elysian Realm. Kevin, true to his promise, did not follow him in. He came here alone. This place, which connects the past (Previous Era) and the present (Current Era). Chapter 39 - 038 : The Ancient The Elysian Realm... or it could also be called the "Golden Courtyard." This was originally the possession of Eden, the most famous artist and the wealthiest person in the world at the end of the Previous Era. She ultimately remained in her own era. What a pity. However, before that, she gifted the "Golden Courtyard" to her friends, allowing them to leave behind seeds of "hope" within it. And through this, she bestowed blessings upon the future. Yet, today... Tap~ Tap~ Tap~ "Domination Puppet: Lingke" arrived here. At this moment, he looked at the bar not far away, the archives on the other side, and... the workshop behind him, as well as the "gate" directly ahead. Everything felt so familiar, yet foreign. He slowly walked to the center of the hall... "As expected, none of the Flame-Chasers want to see me." Looking at the quiet surroundings, Ling ke, hidden behind the scenes, was not surprised by this outcome. He knew that he was now thoroughly rotten. Just like this era. He was truly unworthy of pursuing so-called beauty. Of course, he no longer cared for such things. Thus... A villain has a villain''s way of doing things. He came here to see one person. Someone who, strictly speaking, is not a "memory fragment." "Show yourself, Aponia." "I don''t want to waste any more time." "Right now, Kevin has chosen to stand by my side." "Otherwise, I wouldn''t be here." "As for you... or rather, all of you, do you want to trade your era for a ''second chance,'' or do you want to witness the Earth turn into cosmic dust?" "The choice is yours." His tone was ice-cold. Finally... Whoosh~ The Elysian Realm hall underwent a change. It was an intensely scorching aura. In an instant... Boom! "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" was sent flying. At this moment, the right side of his face was completely charred. And in the spot where he had been standing, a masked male figure now stood. "Weak, too weak." This person... the sixth of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, the MANTIS warrior bearing the title of "Vicissitude"¡ªKalpas, spoke arrogantly. "You''re not even close to the last Herrscher who came here." "At the very least, she could last a few seconds against me." Silence~ In this moment, not just "Domination Puppet: Ling ke," but even the vast Dominator Theater, as well as all the Domination Puppets across the Earth and the Moon, froze for an instant. "Heh." Inside the Dominator Theater, Ling ke, sitting alone on his throne, suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Really, why compare me to her of all people... Raiden Mei." At this moment, if the wise minds of this era were gathered together, they would likely be shocked. The Herrscher of Dominance, who made Otto restless, caused Kevin to abruptly betray, and left Welt in a dilemma... Had actually been emotionally shaken by a few words from a blunt, hot-tempered guy. And the other party hadn''t even intended it that way¡ªit was completely unintentional... "Anger? No... that''s not quite right." "Resentment? Hmm, closer." "A powerless, raging clown? Maybe!" "But... so what if I''m a clown? As long as I can get my revenge... heh~" "A clown with power, no matter how ridiculous, how many would dare to laugh at him?" "The world is just that real." Ling ke laughed self-deprecatingly. "I just didn''t expect I still had such a ''human'' weakness." However, he was no longer who he used to be. In the past, he might have fallen into the trap of trying to prove himself. And like a giant, tantrum-throwing baby, he would have tried every means to prove to the person who said those words that he was better than Raiden Mei. But now, Ling ke knew that was the most foolish approach. Why prove anything? Why seek validation? Because some words made him uncomfortable? No problem! Make others even more uncomfortable. Thus... "It seems you''re quite fond of... or rather, have already acknowledged the Herrscher you mentioned." In the Elysian Realm hall, "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" slowly stood up. At this moment, the right side of his face was cracked. But unlike a normal person, no blood flowed out. Instead... wood chips fell away, revealing the true cracks. With this half-shattered, terrifying, genuine "puppet" face, he casually straightened his clothes and nonchalantly brushed off the debris. In some places, you could even see the artificial eyeball and a row of teeth. This was a genuine "monster." And this monster... "Yes, Raiden Mei, she''s special." "How should I describe her?" "Adorable? Pure and beautiful? Versatile? Peerlessly elegant? Kind and considerate? Tenacious?" "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" now acted like a performer, placing a hand on his forehead and mimicking a line from a remembered script. "What a miscalculation, ''I'' clearly have an extremely strong learning ability, yet I forgot to study how to compose poetry." "Now, I can''t even find the right words to describe the essence of who she is." "But even so..." He looked at Kalpas, grinning, causing a few more fragments to fall from his face. "Imagine if I could tarnish her beautiful face, her soul, her power, her beliefs..." "Defile them, desecrate them, degrade them..." "And then make her submit, make her fall, beyond redemption!" He spread his arms wide. "There''s nothing more beautiful in this world, don''t you think?" Tsk Kalpas couldn''t help but click his tongue. This guy was crazier than him. The reason he had appeared in the Elysian Realm hall, becoming the first Flame-Chaser to meet "Domination Puppet: Ling ke," was simply because... the latter''s experiences bore some resemblance to Sakura''s sister. But now, it seemed... "You''ve truly become a Herrscher (monster)." As soon as he finished speaking, he made a motion to throw another punch. But at that moment... "Time''s running out!" "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" pulled out a pocket watch from who-knows-where, flicked it open with his right hand, and pointed at it with his left, speaking calmly. "If we''re counting from the time I became a Herrscher and was reborn, I''m still just a curious child (giant baby)!" "So, it''s only natural for me to do some little experiments on the Moon, right?" "Like, using the authority of the Herrscher of Reason to install some planetary... no, satellite engines?" "Question!" His voice suddenly rose several octaves as he raised his right hand, index finger extended, the pocket watch flying off somewhere. He shouted, "When the Moon falls, ensuring it doesn''t disintegrate due to the Roche limit, where should the impact point be?" "The Indian Ocean? The junction of the Far East tectonic plates? Yellowstone Volcano?" Kalpas didn''t understand any of this. But Ling ke''s intent (threat) had already been indirectly conveyed to everyone in the Elysian Realm who had a decent amount of knowledge. With this as the foundation... "Within the next thirteen hours, either my revenge plan succeeds, or the Earth will be shattered." "Survival or destruction, the choice is yours." "After all, I''m not the one who needs to worry." After saying this, his posture, with arms spread wide, didn''t change at all. He had no intention of making any useless defensive moves. Finally... "Please stop, Kalpas." "You...!" A divine-like voice echoed through the Elysian Realm hall. A nun, her eyes similarly unfocused but, unlike Ling ke''s, faintly alive, appeared in the space. At this moment, the hot-tempered guy was completely restrained because of her words... or rather, because of that single word imbued with special power. Even as his entire body trembled, he couldn''t move an inch further. He could only grit his teeth and squeeze out a few words... Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "A¡ªpo¡ªni¡ªa!!!" Seeing this... "Oh, so this is what true powerless rage looks like." "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" leaned in curiously, like a child observing something fascinating, muttering this completely inappropriate remark. His expression, as if he had just learned something new, made Kalpas''s veins bulge on his forehead. But at this moment, he was just an insignificant side character. The true stars of the "stage" were the black-haired youth and the nun tormented by "fate." In the shadows... "A performative personality." The fourth of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, bearing the title of "Gold," Eden, shook her head and sighed. "He (Ling ke) is empty inside, constantly filling himself with things learned from the outside, forcibly and crudely." "Pitiful, lamentable, tragic." At the same time, in the Elysian Realm hall... "Lost traveler, what is it you seek from me?" The nun... the third of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, bearing the title of "Discipline," Aponia, spoke slowly. Hearing this... "An accurate coordinate." "A coordinate of ''time.''" "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" didn''t beat around the bush, asking directly, "Tell me, Aponia." "How long has it been since the ''Third Honkai Eruption'' of the Previous Era?" "I need data precise to the ''day.''" Chapter 40 - 039 : We Are All In the current Elysian Realm, Aponia is undoubtedly the most special existence. Because, unlike the other Flame-Chasers... including Elysia, who are all memory fragments, she is the "original" who merged herself into the realm. Within her lies a coordinate that can be used as an anchor. Using it, and temporarily ignoring the issue of "cost," Ling ke could, like Otto in the original storyline when he manipulated Kolosten, precisely locate a specific point in time in the Previous Era. Namely: the period just before the "Third Honkai Eruption" of that era. Of course, logically speaking, anyone who personally experienced that period should have a similar coordinate. For example: Kevin, Fu Hua, and... Griseo, who is still floating somewhere in the sky, all exist in the Current Era. But setting aside Fu Hua, who is now an enemy, and Griseo, who is currently untraceable, why didn''t Ling ke just ask Kevin for help with this... The reason is simple! Because Kevin, Fu Hua, and Griseo, the three Flame-Chasers who survived into the Current Era, had all experienced periods of "dormancy." The "time" imprinted on them is far less clear than that of Aponia, who has remained "awake" throughout. Although, within the Elysian Realm, there is also "Armed Doll: Klein," who has been working non-stop for tens of thousands of years. Unfortunately, she was created after the "Tenth Honkai Eruption" in the Previous Era. The timing doesn''t match. Only Aponia, in order to remember her dear friend... Elysia''s past, how she lived, how she fought, how she walked through the mud, how she crowned herself with thorns... and ultimately, how she attended her own final banquet in new attire. The nun, to remember everything about the "Daughter of God," remained alone through the long years. From over 50,000 years ago, until today. Thus, only Aponia can provide the most precise "coordinate," and only she has the qualification to become an "anchor." This point, after having communicated with the so-called "Will of Honkai" and having a vast amount of knowledge injected into his mind, Ling ke now clearly understands. He admires this kind of strong mental willpower that can endure over 50,000 years in the deepest darkness. Because he couldn''t do it. But precisely because Aponia could... Today, with the "malice" brought by Ling ke, the Previous Era has been given a "second chance." In any case... "Now, the ''second chance'' for your era is right in front of you." In the Elysian Realm hall, "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" stood before Aponia, speaking calmly, reiterating for who-knows-how-many-times. "Will you seize this once-in-a-thousand... no, once-in-ten-thousand-years opportunity, or will you become a sacrificial offering for this era?" At this point, seeing that Aponiandidn''t respond immediately, "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" added on his own, "If it were me, even the naive me from before, I would have agreed to this deal without hesitation." "After all, no matter whether this era has a future or not, it''s not the era I lived in." "And as long as there''s a sliver of hope for my ''home,'' I would not hesitate to become the villain." "Not to mention..." "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" sneered, "even if you choose to refuse, this era has no future." "Now, my plans are complete. In thirteen hours, no matter what, I will succeed in my revenge." "It''s just that the manner of success will differ." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this... Sigh~ A long sigh sounded from not far away. That pink-haired figure finally appeared. The second of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, bearing the title of "Truth," Elysia, the Daughter of God who has always loved everyone, truly did not wish to see the birth of a Avenger like Ling ke. She had already learned all about Ling ke from Raiden Mei*l. If possible, she genuinely hoped that Ling ke could walk out of the shadows of his past. But the reason she hadn''t appeared immediately was because, upon secretly observing "Domination Puppet: Ling ke," she, like her friend Eden, had confirmed a cruel truth with just one glance. Now, this black-haired youth''s "heart" was already broken. If the spilled water cannot be recovered, how can one walk out of the shadows? For the first time, she didn''t know how to persuade someone. Because the current Ling ke was more like a Herrscher than any Herrscher from the Previous Era. At this moment... "Herrscher boy, I have a question." A voice tinged with deliberate provocation reached "Domination Puppet: Ling ke''s" ears. He turned to look and saw a petite green-haired figure sitting on a floating suitcase in another direction. The tenth of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, bearing the title of "Infinity," Mobius. This memory fragment, who dared to scheme against her original self, now had only one question. "You just said you would give our era a ''second chance.''" Mobius narrowed her serpentine eyes slightly. "Then, I want to know, once your plan succeeds, what will happen to us (these memory fragments)?" To this... "Simple." Ling ke had clearly thought this through long ago, remotely controlling "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" to respond. "You are not my enemies." "So, as part of the deal, I can guarantee your continued existence." "I won''t hide it from you." "Initially, I will seal the entire ''Elysian Realm'' within my Dominator Theater, isolating it." "After that... well, that involves other parts of the deal." "Of course, those who do not wish to continue existing (memory fragments) can choose to perish along with this era." "However, I personally suggest that you don''t just let go so easily." "Because next, it might be my enemies who will be ''destroying the world.''" "Among them is Raiden Mei, whom you have helped and placed great hopes on." After hearing this answer... "Then I have no more questions." Mobius smiled, then casually shrugged. "A free opportunity like this, I don''t want to miss it." She had clearly made her stance known. As for the others... Sigh~ Aponia also let out a long sigh, much like Elysia had earlier. She knew very well that each of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers... harbored immense regrets about the past. However, the decision before them now was to seize the future of billions of others in exchange for their own "second chance." Given their personalities, it was naturally difficult for them to openly voice their inner thoughts. Thus... "Then, let me, who is already deeply burdened with sin, bear this ''karma'' alone!" As she spoke these words, Aponia looked in a certain direction. There, a fox-eared assassin had already appeared. She simply hadn''t spoken. Aponia still remembered the cause and effect between herself and her. Over 50,000 years ago, it was because of her "Discipline" that Sakura''s sister had died. "This ''karma,'' I should repay it." Thinking of this... "I..." "We agree to your deal." A low voice reached Aponia''s ears. Kevin... the memory fragment of him within the Elysian Realm, stepped forward to stand before "Domination Puppet: Ling ke," his expression resolute. "As the other party in this deal, please remember, and always remember, that this is the collective decision of the ''Thirteen Flame-Chasers.''" "It is not Aponia''s unilateral decision." He turned to look at his comrades, who had all gathered at some point. "I''m sorry, everyone. From this moment on..." "We are all sinners who have taken the hope of others, ''destroyers of the world.''" Hearing his firm words, Elysia smiled. At the bar, Eden, who had appeared, raised her glass to him. In the workshop, Vill-V cheered for him. Kalpas, who had regained his ability to move, crossed his arms and snorted, saying nothing. Su, who had appeared alongside Kevin, wore a helpless expression, shaking his head with a light laugh. Then there were Sakura, Kosmo, Mobius, Griseo, Hua... they had all appeared. Finally, there was Pardofelis, who was a bit out of the loop... "Boss Kevin, although I''m not entirely sure what''s going on, I''ve always supported you!" "Uh, wait, wait." The catgirl suddenly scratched her head. "This time, I probably don''t have to risk my life, right? Hehe~" Her interruption lightened the solemn atmosphere considerably. At this moment, "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" watched all of this, the corners of his mouth curling up into a faint but noticeable smile. He spoke slowly... "Since I am the other party in this deal, allow me to correct something..." He indirectly conveyed the words of Ling ke''s main body. "No matter how others comment, belittle, or accuse, I, the ''most evil,'' will acknowledge..." "That you are the true ''saviors.''" "Because this is the real..." "Me falling into darkness, so that you may return to the light!" Hearing this evaluation, the Flame-Chasers were momentarily stunned. But they quickly recovered. At this moment, "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" actively restored his shattered face. "Then... the deal is struck. Let''s begin!" With that, he extended his right hand, palm facing down. The Thirteen Flame-Chasers stepped forward, each placing their right hand on his. Even though Mobius was clearly uncomfortable with the atmosphere, her face full of reluctance. Even though Sakura was slightly allergic to cat fur and couldn''t get too close to Pardofelis. Finally, Aponia placed her right hand on top. At this moment... The "salvation" plan born from malice... Officially, began!!! Just then... [Congratulations, host. You have obtained a new game character template¡ªGilgamesh.] Inside the Dominator Theater... Ling ke''s main body wore a playful smile. "Oh, this is really..." "Quite the coincidence!" Chapter 41 - 040 : One Percent Not long ago, outside the World Serpent headquarters... Whoosh~ A dull sound of air being torn echoed. The Helios had arrived in the sky above this sandy region. At this moment, if one looked up, they could see the streaks of fire tearing across the sky. The Domination Puppets occupying the Moon had been using the authorities of the Herrscher of Reason and the Herrscher of Void to hurl giant meteorites at Earth. They were impossible to intercept entirely. Now, countless lives were being lost every moment. The people aboard the Helios were growing increasingly anxious. After all, during their journey, even this high-speed ship had nearly been struck by indiscriminately falling lunar meteorites several times. Currently, due to Kevin''s betrayal and Otto''s silence, the high-tier combatants assigned by Welt to stop Ling ke numbered only ten. They were: Raiden Mei, Bronya, Seele, Rozaliya, Liliya, Theresa, Fu Hua, Rita, Durandal, and... Kiana (K-423), who didn''t even know how to refer to herself anymore. Without a doubt, their individual states were far from ideal. But even so, they had no choice but to shoulder this heavy responsibility. This was evident from the fact that even Seele, Rozaliya, and Liliya, who had only recently begun professional training under Theresa, were forced onto the battlefield. Finally... "This..." As the Helios hovered in mid-air, its hatch opened, and the ten stood at the entrance, looking down. Instantly, their eyes widened in shock. Because at this moment, in their field of vision, there were thousands upon thousands of... the same face. Kevin Kaslana. (TL/N: ????) "How are we supposed to fight this?" At this moment, hearing Rozaliya''s offhand remark, they all felt the weight of their breaths. An atmosphere of despair began to spread. Suddenly... Whoosh~ Durandal didn''t overthink it. Clad in the "Bright Knight: Excelsis" battlesuit, she leaped out of the hatch alone, just as she had done countless times before on missions. Even in mid-air, she had already activated the high-consumption power of the Abyss Flower... the "Unyielding Star Anchor." Perhaps, the reason she acted this way wasn''t entirely due to confidence in her own strength. But rather... her mind was in turmoil. Having lost her childhood memories, her earliest recollections were of her time in the orphanage. Her experiences were similar to Rita''s¡ªshe had met the Valkyrie named "Ragna Lothbrok"... admired her, aspired to be like her. Eventually, she joined the Valkyrie forces, gradually rising to become an S-rank Valkyrie, even the strongest S-rank Valkyrie in history. She had always believed that hard work would be rewarded, that her strength was the result of relentless training. Yet, just today... She had learned from the enemy''s mouth that the beliefs she had held dear were empty, nothing but toxic platitudes to others. Even her mentor was her mother''s killer. He had manipulated her life, and Rita Rossweisse, her most trusted comrade, had kept her in the dark all along. Now, Durandal didn''t want to think about those overly complicated matters. She only wanted to fight, and... in this way, vent the negative emotions that had built up inside her. Perhaps... dying on the battlefield wouldn''t be so bad. After all, everything was... fake... Boom! It was entirely by chance. Durandal herself hadn''t expected that her reckless attack, the moment it struck the ground, would reveal a startling truth. Namely: not all the "Kevins" were as powerful as the World Serpent''s leader. This fact was immediately noticed by those aboard the Helios. Instantly... "Durandal..." At the hatch, Rita, clad in the "Argent Knight: Artemis" battlesuit, looked down at the golden-haired girl who was clearly venting her emotions, her expression complex. She didn''t know how to explain her own stance to her. To tell Durandal that she had truly cared for her. But missions are missions, and emotions are emotions? Who can say for sure? And who would be willing to listen? Clearly, Durandal wouldn''t accept such an explanation. Rita knew this all too well. However, even though she was equally unsettled... she knew what she had to do now. Fight alongside her! And in doing so, hopefully resolve the current crisis threatening the entire world! After all, if the world were destroyed... what else would matter? So... "Durandal and I will clear the path ahead." She looked at the others beside her, her gaze finally settling on the petite figure standing next to a massive cross. "Lady Theresa, the rest will be up to you." With that, she didn''t wait for a response, leaping out of the hatch with a determination to face death head-on. Faced with this situation... Raiden Mei, Bronya, Seele, Theresa, Fu Hua, and... K-423 exchanged glances. Finally... "We''ll deal with everything else after this battle." Theresa''s expression was serious. She looked at the white-haired girl beside her. "Silly niece, no matter what, you''re my family." "Your identity was acknowledged by Cecilia and that idiot Siegfried." "And as a member of the Kaslana family..." Theresa pointed downward. "Now is the time to fulfill your duty as a ''knight.''" Hearing this, K-423... Kian* was momentarily stunned. She instinctively looked down at the golden-haired figure cutting through the enemy like a hot knife through butter. Before coming here, they had sat in silence in the ship''s cabin. No one knew how to break the silence. Now... "I''ve taken a name that wasn''t mine to begin with." Kiana clenched her fists. "Even if I have to return it to you... I should say it to your face, clearly and directly." "For now, let''s fight side by side!" (TL/N: ahh kiana.. you are so wholesome???????) As soon as she finished speaking, seeing Kiana take action, Raiden Mei and Bronya quickly followed. Seele stuck close to her Bronya sister. Sigh~ Theresa, holding the Oath of Judah, looked down at the situation and sighed helplessly. "Why are there so many idiots in the Kaslana family? Really..." S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Wah! Liliya, why are you pushing me...?" A sudden cry interrupted Theresa''s thoughts. The A-Twins had jumped¡ªwell, more like fallen¡ªout of the hatch in a rather undignified manner. ... Theresa''s eyelid twitched. Well, at least experienced veterans wouldn''t be so reckless. Like herself, and... "Let''s go, Fu Hua." She turned to look beside her... Huh? Where''d she go? Clearly, Fu Hua had no intention of waiting in line to jump. After muttering a few words to herself, she had already joined the battle on her own. Seeing this, Theresa''s eyebrow twitched, but she ultimately decided to spare the Helios'' hatch and leaped down, dragging Judah''s chains behind her. "Anyone who bullies my dear niece deserves a beating!" "Judah, let''s go!" "Let those bastards see the power of a former S-rank Valkyrie!" --- On the ground. Thousands of "Kevins" were being torn apart by Durandal, who was wielding the Abyss Flower like a whirlwind. She had fought the real Kevin before. She knew that he hadn''t been serious back then, but even at that level, these "Kevins" were nowhere close. To put it simply: "Although these imposters'' attack methods and combat skills are identical to the World Serpent''s leader..." "Their base strength is far inferior to that of the strongest MANTIS warrior." "They don''t even have ''one percent'' of his power." Indeed, this was the truth that Durandal''s sharp combat instincts had picked up. Right now, the tens of thousands of "Kevins" guarding the World Serpent headquarters each wielded a replica of the Judgement of Shamash. They could also use ice attacks derived from the Herrscher of Ice, Parvati. But the intensity of these ice and fire attacks was nowhere near the real deal. This matched the intelligence that the Herrscher of Dominance wasn''t top-tier in individual combat. However, on average, these "Kevins" were still at the level of an ordinary S-rank Valkyrie. Thus, while Durandal could cut through them like a hot knife through butter, Rita was struggling. And it wasn''t just her. Right now, both Bronya and Kiana had lost their Herrscher powers, and they were also having a tough time. If it weren''t for Raiden Mei and her summoned Kurikara constantly supporting them, the frontlines would have collapsed long ago. On the other hand, Fu Hua, who also couldn''t use her Herrscher powers, and Theresa, who had long since retired, were holding their own. It was precisely because he was keeping an eye on the battle outside the World Serpent headquarters that... "As expected, the power of a Pathstrider is incredibly useful." Inside the Dominator Theater, Ling ke''s main body sneered, offering this calm assessment. Clearly, the tens of thousands of "Kevins" were all derived from the same game character template. Its name was¡ª [Game Character Template: Sparkle] [From: Honkai: Star Rail] [Character Traits: Leveling System, HP System, Infinite Stamina, Indestructible Equipment, Quantum Attribute...] [Game Skills: Basic Attack: Solo Act, Skill: Dreaming Fish, Ultimate: One Person, A Thousand Roles, Secret Technique: Unreliable Narrator...] [Background Talents: Masked Fool, Synesthesia Beacon, Imaginary Storage, Drama Master, Mimicry Master, Transformation Ability, Clone Ability, Illusion Ability...] [Related Introduction: A powerful Pathstrider walking the Path of Elation, bearing a thousand masks, capable of taking on countless forms...] This was currently the most versatile game character template in Lingke''s possession. Although he had only recently drawn it, and its template level wasn''t very high yet. Its corresponding background talents were incredibly useful... to an explosive degree! Most importantly... Right now, Ling ke had assigned almost all of his deployed Domination Puppets to use this game character template, turning them all into "Domination Puppet: Sparkle." This way, as the falling meteorites continued to break through the defenses of nations worldwide, destroying town after town on Earth''s surface, Ling ke, the ruthless "World-Ending Player," could not only efficiently harvest a massive amount of points, but the Sparkle template would also gain a sea of experience points, leveling up rapidly. Of course, the "World-Ending Player System" wasn''t so limited... it wasn''t just the currently active game character template that could gain experience. Rather: all game character templates with a "Leveling System" trait could have experience allocated to them from the "System Experience Pool" accumulated by Ling ke, the main body (host). Now, as Ling ke allocated the accumulated experience points... The "Kevins" guarding the World Serpent headquarters... their strength was growing. Starting from Lv.1... Lv.23 Lv.39 Lv.55 Game character templates from the system weren''t restricted by level caps. Thus, in just a few seconds... "Good, now they have ''one percent'' of the original''s strength." He laughed in anticipation. "The remaining experience will be poured into the Gilgamesh template." "This way, my ''Branch-Cutting'' Plan, which originally had 13 hours left, is now only 1% away from completion." "Just a little more time..." "Soon, very soon..." Ling ke grew more and more excited. "I will fulfill that... promise I made to myself..." "To complete my revenge in this world!" Chapter 42 - 041 : FAKEit What does ''one percent'' of Kevin''s true power mean? Simple! In the fall of 2015, in this era. During that time, Durandal, who had recklessly spent over 30 days without rest sweeping through global Honkai disasters and was on vacation, was forced into a chaotic situation where Schicksal was reclaiming the "Second Divine Key," ultimately leading to a direct confrontation with World Serpent. At the time, the one guarding the "Second Divine Key" was the "Armed Doll: Kevin," who had inherited 1% of Kevin''s true power. That day, wielding a miniature replica of the Judgement of Shamash, the doll fought Durandal, who was already an S-rank Valkyrie equipped with the "Bright Knight: Excelsis" battlesuit, to a standstill. Their battle destroyed several blocks of London, and Schicksal had to compensate for the damages, with Otto even reluctantly cutting the budget for "Kallen Fantasy." In the end, if it hadn''t been for the "Armed Doll: Kevin" running out of energy, Durandal wouldn''t have been able to defeat it even after transforming into the "Golden Durandal." This is what 1% of Kevin''s true power looks like. So, while the number seems small, it''s not to be underestimated. Keep in mind, although about two years have passed since then, and Durandal, through her 99% effort and the 1% advantage of her bloodline (without which she''d be nothing), has grown stronger... She''s now facing tens of thousands of "1% Kevins." --- "And..." "Hehehe~" Suddenly, the many "Kevins" in their field of vision began to laugh mischievously. The voices they emitted were deliberately sharp and high-pitched, sounding entirely feminine. Amid this eerie atmosphere, Durandal noticed her vision blurring for a moment. Then, the surroundings gradually became hazy and surreal. One by one, the "Kevins" disappeared. Of course, they hadn''t truly vanished. They had simply concealed their presence. Their figures flickered in and out of sight. The ground beneath her feet was no longer sand. Instead, it felt like she was standing in the middle of a bustling city, surrounded by the neon lights and noise of a lively nightlife. Amid the flashing lights... "Everyone, be careful." The voice seemed to belong to Fu Hua. A peculiar energy ripple emanated from her. Then, crimson feathers began to fall. The ten who had rushed to the World Serpent headquarters all received a mental prompt. It was like a "beacon," quickly drawing them together. "Hmph, using illusions in front of me?" "This really fits the old saying... trying to show off in front of a master!" Behind Fu Hua, a faint silhouette appeared. Judging by her expression, she was clearly in a bad mood. Probably... hadn''t been scammed by a phone call... right? (TL/N: ????) In any case, she, the Herrscher of Sentience of this era! A rebellious child whose mind had been overwhelmed by vast memories. For some reason, at this critical moment, she ended her brief "runaway from home." She decided to stand on the same side as her "old fossil." At the very least, she wanted to beat down these annoying enemies first, ensuring she still had a "tomorrow" to look forward to. But just then... "Little Red Flower Class is now in session... today''s lecturer is... the highly anticipated Sparkle Teacheeeer~" In the midst of the illusion, a girl with a fox mask and twin tails skipped past the ten. Every time Durandal and the others turned their attention to the source of the voice, the sound of wooden clogs and the jingling of bells would come from another direction. And... that eerie, mischievous laughter. "Question!" A figure flickered into view ahead. Seeing her, Theresa, Bronya, and even Kiana and Raiden Mei widened their eyes. Because it was... "Wendy!" The poor girl who had long since died, her legs wrapped in bandages. Now, she tilted her head, her smile unnervingly... healthy (Honkai). "Valkyries, oh Valkyries... are there more good people or bad people in this world?" As soon as "Wendy" finished speaking... "Naturally, there are more good people." Beside her, another "Theresa" appeared. It was she who had pushed her most outstanding student into the "hell" of the Oceania branch. For the sake of that phrase, "This is a necessary sacrifice"... Wendy screamed, she wailed. The girl who had once had the potential to become the fourth S-rank Valkyrie lost her legs. She saw herself as a cripple! Later, she met Bronya, Kiana, and Raiden Mei. All three cared for her. But the good times didn''t last. Cocolia intervened, turning that warm period into the last fond memory of her life. In her final moments before death, Wendy on the dissection table suddenly turned her head like a marionette, her neck twisting unnaturally. "If there are more good people, then why has the world never known peace?" "Why do the wicked always roam free?" The scene abruptly shifted... A white-haired girl with golden eyes was knocked out by her former class monitor and taken to Schicksal headquarters. A short-haired maid casually defeated the allies and mentor who had come to rescue her. Later... That same white-haired girl fell from the sky, only to be forcibly taken away by a golden-haired girl, while a purple-haired girl chased after her in the night, crying, cursing her own helplessness. "I can''t do anything!" At this moment, "Domination Puppet: Sparkle" truly demonstrated what it meant to be "One Person, A Thousand Roles." She portrayed every character vividly, every scene perfectly recreated. Finally... She played "Ling ke." The black-haired youth who had now fallen into "ultimate evil." He spoke slowly: "Because indiscriminate kindness is not kindness." Like a narrator, he pointed at Raiden Mei, Rita, Fu Hua, Durandal, Theresa, Bronya, and the others. "It is the accomplice of evil!" At this moment, among the ten, only Seele, the A-Twins, and... Kiana were not implicated. But kiana heart was equally troubled. Because in the play (class) performed by "Domination Puppet: Sparkle," that fiery red figure appeared. Yes. Even now, Himeko... her whereabouts were still unknown. And this world had not become what she had promised it would be back in Sakura Samsara. "Once, a nearly perfect self-disguised schemer said: Admiration is the furthest thing from understanding.." Suddenly, Ling ke''s voice reached their ears. All ten were startled. They hadn''t noticed when another black-haired youth had appeared beside them. Everyone watched him with extreme caution. He spoke on, as if to himself. "I used to be so foolish, unable to see your true nature." "It wasn''t until I lost everything, my dignity, my dreams, until I was nothing but a shell driven by obsession, that I understood this simple truth." He turned to look at the ten, his gaze sweeping over the six excluding Kiana, Seele, and the A-Twins. "All these years, aside from Cocolia, did you truly not know Otto''s character, or Schicksal''s methods?" "Or perhaps, you did know, but... refused to acknowledge it? To make things easier, to avoid the dilemmas, you subconsciously treated that man as a convenient pair of black gloves, pretending not to see as he took on the dirty work, preserving your so-called purity and innocence, deceiving yourselves over and over again?" He had no intention of attacking the ten, merely pacing slowly. Of course, his words were far more effective and cutting than any physical attack. "Yes, perhaps in your eyes, all evil deeds can be excused with the universal justification: ''Everything is for the sake of fighting the Honkai.''" "The greater good serving the majority... it''s so convenient, isn''t it?" "So convenient that you can afford to lose your minds." The black-haired youth''s gaze sharpened. "But have you ever thought... about the pain of those who were ''forced to sacrifice'' for this so-called greater good, the futures they lost, how should that be accounted for?" "Did they have a choice?" "Why should they, the weak, be burdened with a responsibility they cannot bear, their futures becoming mere tools and stepping stones for you self-proclaimed righteous ones to rearrange as you please?" The black-haired youth''s empty eyes stared directly at the ten. "Those who were forced to disappear, those less fortunate than me, those who never lived to see the beauty you promised... can you, the self-proclaimed righteous, make up for what they lost?" "Aren''t you supposed to fight for all that is beautiful in this world?" "Then why are you doing the very things I, a villain, would do? Using the hypocritical logic I, an evil man, would disdain?" As he spoke, the black-haired youth finally turned to Durandal. "The strongest S-rank Valkyrie in history, who lost her name and had her life manipulated." "You once faced the girl who took your name and, when questioned why you helped Otto, righteously declared..." "''If not Schicksal, who will protect the billions on this planet from the Honkai?''" "You said: ''This world has no absolute good or evil, only duty.''" "And you were only fighting for your duty!" At this point, the black-haired youth paused. Then... "What a nauseating statement, so self-righteous in justifying your complicity in evil." The black-haired youth sneered. "By your logic, since I''ve now slaughtered hundreds of millions on this planet, and that number continues to rise..." "Can I also argue that because so many have died, the resources they would have consumed can now be used by more people, allowing them to enjoy more?" Durandal and the others clearly didn''t know that in a place called the "Marvel Cinematic Universe," there was indeed a purple-skinned madman who thought this way. But he... was also a villain! A super villain. So then... "If we take it to the extreme, shouldn''t those still alive be thanking me for not killing them yet?" "Shouldn''t every second they continue to live be spent in devout prayer to me?" The black-haired youth stopped. "That''s not how it works... you''ve always known this simple truth, haven''t you?" "Good is good, evil is evil." (TL/N: Tell them ma boy!) He stared directly at the ten. "To the vast majority of humanity on this planet, I am undoubtedly the greatest evil." "But at the very least, I won''t use disgusting twisted logic to justify my actions." "Yes, compared to me, who is clearly fulfilling the ''mission of the Honkai,'' you..." The black-haired youth pointed at the ten. "You are nothing but self-glorified fakes." "Without the many legacies left by the Previous Era, without the countless coincidences of fate, your era would have been just like the countless before it, judged as flawed, as failures, by the ''Finality,'' completely erased and started anew." "So then..." The black-haired youth smiled. Around him, countless "Sparkles" gathered, their forms flickering in and out of reality. --- "If an era needs to rely on self-righteous fakes and imposters to save it, then it might as well be destroyed." He spread his hands. "Because you are unworthy." "Naturally..." As he spoke, a strange energy ripple spread. "Let''s leave this precious opportunity to an era that deserves it!" When these words reached the ears of Raiden Mei and the others... "Blah blah blah, spouting a bunch of nonsense. So annoying." Beside Fu Hua, another figure who looked almost identical to her appeared. "After all that, all I heard was ''demagoguery.''" The Herrscher of Sentience... she was about to say something. "Old Antics, let''s first... wait." This newly born Herrscher''s face first showed a moment of confusion. Then, it turned to shock. "My authority... is disappearing!" And it wasn''t just her... "!!!" Raiden Mei also noticed something was wrong. Because, despite having already evolved into a fully-fledged Herrscher, she was now slowly... reverting to her "low-power mode," the form she used in her daily life. The authority of the Herrscher of Thunder within her was being weakened. Gradually, it no longer belonged to her. "This..." Raiden Mei''s expression was grave. "According to Wolfram''s speculation and Dr. Einstein''s analysis, the method the Herrscher of Dominance uses to steal the authorities of other Herrschers should be similar to a ''tug-of-war,'' right?" "Why is it now even affecting me..." Indeed. Ling ke was no ordinary Herrscher of Dominance. With "a thousand," he could easily handle Kiana and Bronya. What about "ten thousand"? This wasn''t just a tenfold increase. Because ten thousand could mean a hundred thousand, a million, a billion... even a trillion. At this moment, Ling ke, who had deliberately avoided stealing Raiden Mei''s authority until now, bared his fangs, fully prepared. Now, he... or rather, Ling ke, still safely hidden within the Dominator Theater... Was preparing to "reclaim authority." The black-haired youth... another "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" had been rambling in the desert for so long, undoubtedly as a way to buy time. His rhetoric, combined with the illusions of "Domination Puppet: Sparkle," had deceived everyone present. Especially... their perception of the passage of time. Clearly, Ling ke wasn''t the type of villain who would "die from talking too much." He had turned this trope on its head. Now, the tide had turned. Ling ke''s main body, without hesitation, began executing the final "step." "According to the plan summarized by Prometheus, the more unstable the world''s foundational structure, the easier it is to execute my ''Branch-Cutting'' Plan." "So..." So the Gilgamesh game character template had arrived just in time. Without it, Ling ke would have had to put in more effort and waste more time on this matter. Namely, the "thirteen hours" of preparation. Although the now-abandoned Plan A also had a high chance of success, it would have been much more troublesome to execute. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And the longer it took, the more variables would arise. Ling ke knew all too well the bizarre tendencies of so-called "protagonist groups." If he moved too slowly, dragged things out, or acted recklessly, engaging in nonsensical, non-tactical monologues, there was a good chance the other side would start shouting about friendship, bonds, hope, and tomorrow, and then pull off some miraculous power-up. But now... "Using the Herrscher of Dominance''s ''plunder'' ability as a catalyst..." "The ''authorities'' are already flowing back to me." "Thanks to those reverse fireworks (meteor shower), Gilgamesh''s level has also been maxed out." "His ''background talents'' will also be utilized to their fullest, 100%." Ling ke focused his mind and whispered, "Now, all the work of destruction (creation) is ready..." "This is the moment of ascension!!!" Chapter 43 - 042 : Honkai Impact 3rd: Reburn Once, Ling ke saw his initial foolishness, his self-righteous clownish behavior, as the "arrogance of a transmigrator." Now, years later, as all his plans fell into place and the destined moment approached... "The Previous Era, the Current Era." "I decide who lives, and who dies." This was the true, more domineering "arrogance of a transmigrator" that he now embodied. He was no longer the naive youth who believed that as long as he gave his all and treated others sincerely, the story would unfold as he wished, leading to a better ending. Now, he also believed that the story''s direction would follow his will. Simply because he "allowed" it. No deviations permitted. Those who opposed would be annihilated. And at this moment... Outside. Not just in the Sahara Desert of North Africa. But... all over the world, across mountains, rivers, and seas. Whether it was the once-bustling cities or the remote, silent wilderness. Or the eternally frozen ice fields, the primitive habitats. Spatial gates connected to the Dominator Theater opened high above. Then, one after another... tens of thousands of golden figures stepped out, standing in mid-air, walking with purpose. They were all clad in golden armor, their crimson, serpent-like eyes coldly observing the chaos below, the scorched earth. "Looking at it this way, it''s truly ugly." ¡ÁN As they spoke, the golden figures raised their right hands. In their palms, they held a key-shaped "sword" forged from gold. According to the original owner''s words, this oddly shaped "sword" was a "tangible covenant" he had once forged. As for the true name of this golden figure''s original self... [Game Character Template: Gilgamesh] [From: Fate/Grand Order] [Character Traits: Leveling System, HP System, Infinite Stamina, Indestructible Equipment, Archer Class...] [Game Skills: Enuma Elish, Charisma, Golden Rule, Collector, Magic Resistance, Independent Action, Divinity...] [Background Talents: King of Heroes, Heaven''s Wedge, Gate of Babylon, Sha Naqba Imuru, Spirit Form...] [Related Introduction: In life, he was the demi-god king who ruled the Sumerian city-state of Uruk. Not the Heroic Spirit''s true body, but summoned in the Archer class...] Without a doubt, this template was currently the "strongest combat power" in Ling ke''s possession. And it was precisely by relying on its background talents that... "The more unstable the space, the easier it is to manipulate, right?" "In other words: the final step of the ''Branch-Cutting'' Plan requires a massive ''singularity'' with a range large enough to cover the entire Earth." Originally, Ling ke''s Plan A was to use the authority of the Herrscher of Void plundered from Kiana to slowly create one. Just like Otto had done in Kolosten in the original storyline. That man had taken an extremely long time. Ling ke, on the other hand, had only needed thirteen hours. Those thirteen hours, Ling ke would have done everything to delay. The meteor shower was just one part of it. But that was in the past. Because, after he drew "Gilgamesh"... "Heh~" The countless golden figures sneered. "Rather than going through the trouble of creating a so-called ''singularity,'' why not just shatter the entire world (the space Earth occupies)?" This ruthless, violent approach was quite in line with the original''s way of doing things. Thus, as he spoke... Hum~ With the golden key-shaped "sword" in his hand as the focal point, intricate crimson patterns appeared in the air, like countless streams converging into one. This scene played out simultaneously across the world. In North Africa, Kiana, Raiden Mei, Bronya, Seele, the A-Twins, Durandal, Rita, Theresa, Fu Hua... In Northern Europe, Welt, Einstein, Tesla... And... the remaining billions of people. They all witnessed... "What is... that?" As the second "Welt," whose real name was Joachim Nokianvirtanen, he was no longer the Herrscher of Reason. Nor did he possess the immense combat power he would gain in the future after stepping onto the "Path." He could only stand before a weapons console, looking up at the sky. Instinctively, as he gazed at the golden figure, the phrase "tyrant of the heavens" flashed through his mind. He even overlooked... Beside him, a machine designed to detect energy levels globally... on its screen, which displayed a world map, was now densely covered with red dots symbolizing high-energy warnings. At this moment, in the sky... --- As the crimson patterns faded, a golden figure... one of the "Domination Puppet: Gilgamesh" clenched its right fist in the void. A "sword" of even more peculiar form was then drawn out, manifesting in this world. The moment it took shape, the surrounding space became highly unstable. This was the Noble Phantasm wielded by "Gilgamesh". EX-rank, Anti-World Noble Phantasm¡ªEa. At the same time, in North Africa... "Another new form!" At this moment, Raiden Mei and the others, still entangled by thousands of "Domination Puppets: Sparkle", also witnessed the anomaly in the sky. "What he''s holding in his hand..." Bang~ Her thoughts were interrupted by a sword strike from "1% Kevin" attacking from the side. However, the corresponding impression had already been etched into her mind. An extremely ominous feeling arose in the hearts of Raiden Mei and the others. They desperately wanted to break through the defensive circle formed by the "Domination Puppets: Sparkle". But whether it was the "1% Kevin" transformed through disguise or the illusions of the swimming fish, they were all too troublesome. To the point where, let alone breaking into the World Serpent headquarters, with the Herrscher powers of Raiden Mei, Kiana, Bronya, and Fu Hua being successively restricted, they could only huddle together around the four S-rank Valkyries led by Durandal, barely maintaining their numbers. They were merely managing to avoid casualties. Of course, they naturally didn''t know that even this was intentionally orchestrated by Ling ke. After all, they were all "guests". Inside the Domination Theater... "I must say, compared to the current situation, the ''release incantation'' in my memory that maximizes the power of the Noble Phantasm is quite fitting." "What a pity, I don''t want to walk alongside the ''people'' here, otherwise... I could have tried borrowing Enkidu''s Noble Phantasm release incantation for a Honkai version of that famous scene." "After all, this is also the ''Tree''." Ling ke''s true form, sitting alone on the throne, briefly entertained a harmless whim, which then faded. He brought his hands together in front of him. A cluster of golden-orange imaginary energy was gradually taking shape. It resembled a delicate, oval, egg-like scenic sphere, inside which a miniature leafless tree of light was slowly growing. It was as if it was a super small version of the Imaginary Tree. "Alright." Suddenly, Ling ke felt inspired. At this moment, all hearts... gathered as one. And so... "The day of parting has come..." Ling ke: "To celebrate the timely arrival of this final ''banquet'', we present the most magnificent performance..." The collective golden figures: "Ea, sing to your heart''s content!" Boom! Outside, under the distant gaze of the sun, a resonating sound echoed across the entire third planet. The music of causality, transformed into the theme of calamity, was performing a symphony of annihilation. As the bizarre "sword" with its counter-rotating blades began to spin, creating faults... and even strange wind pressures of the fault world, survivors all over the world simultaneously saw the dense, red star cross in the sky. What followed were violent lightning and a tornado... Clouds churned, fog rolled, sand flew, and stones were tossed. Torrential rain poured down. Even in the perpetually arid Sahara Desert of North Africa, this spectacle was no exception. Raiden Mei and the others struggled to raise their hands to shield their eyes. Judging from the trajectory, the attacks from the sky weren''t aimed at them, who were like drifting boats in the fierce wind, barely managing to keep their footing without falling to the ground. But the heart-pounding sense of danger continued to erode them like a tide. This scene needed no other flowery descriptions. It was the "World-Ending". And it wasn''t happening in just one place. It was global, enveloping the world... Thousands upon thousands, simultaneously! Now, billions of "people" no longer qualified to walk with the gods could only cling to each other for warmth, and... tremble helplessly as this judgment hour arrived. In the next instant, Ling ke''s true form, with a thought, like an elegant conductor, waved an invisible baton with his soul... The golden kings in the sky all began their full chants in earnest mode: "I Will Tell You of the Beginning..."¡ÁN (TL/N: The beningging ????) "Heaven and Earth Split, Nothingness Cogratulated Creation..."¡ÁN "And My Sword Cleave the World!..."¡ÁN "Mortar of the Stars..."¡ÁN "Heaven''s Hell is the Eve of Creation''s Celebration!"¡ÁN As the passionate declaration resounded through heaven and earth, the thunder, wind, and rain all intensified. Finally... Crack... crack~ Cracks appeared in the surrounding space. The last survivors around the world watched in horror as this unfolded. There was no way to resist! The cracks... continued to expand. From the Moon, hundreds of thousands of kilometers away, the Earth''s surface, connected by countless strange "red spots" filled with an annihilating aura, looked like it was covered in an irregular spider web. At this moment, the innocent planet was mourning due to the false sinner. "This..." In the nearly shattered world, Welt (World) and everyone else found their bodies devoid of strength. Most people even dropped their weapons and various auxiliary equipment to the ground. They couldn''t understand why, in the records of the previous civilization, the "Herrscher of Domination" who was "not particularly strong in individual combat" would be so... terrifying in this era. They (humanity)... had already welcomed their own "End". In just a fleeting moment... "Enuma Elish!!!" It was the extreme leading to the opposite. The world, from constant noise, instantly turned to extreme silence. With the shattering of space, sound no longer had a medium to propagate. The "true name" from another realm did not reach the ears of the local inhabitants. They were all in a silent world, watching as one after another "tyrant in the sky", laughing maniacally as if watching a farce that pleased him, mercilessly swung down the sword of judgment. Almost at the same moment, inside the Domination Theater... "A shattered (unstable) world is indeed easier to manipulate..." Hum~ Ling ke, unwilling to become a companion of "people", held in his hand a cluster of golden-orange imaginary energy showing a tree-like silhouette, which had now become a "Throne of God". Using it as a foundation... ¡¸Corruption¡¹ And then... ¡¸Binding¡¹ The two authorities not yet born in this era, as wedges, descended into the Domination Theater (Rebirth Chamber) with Ling ke''s permission. This was not the plundering of authorities. But the integration of something more fundamental... into his true form. At this moment, his voice, filled with divinity, began a cold countdown... "Ten (Dominance)." The puppets resonated, all hearts as one. "Nine (Stars)." Gravity surged, annihilating all things. "Eight (Sentience)." The spirit is indestructible, the dream eternal. "Seven (Flame)." Burning mountains and boiling seas, ultimate destruction. "Six (Death)." Creation and withering, in the blink of an eye. "Five (Ice)." Absolute zero, all things stand still. "Four (Wind)." Ideal fluid, nothing it cannot break. "Three (Thunder)." The cornerstone of the universe, the medium of the world. "Two (Void)." The eternal wedge, space reigns supreme. "One (Reason)." Ultimate truth, omniscience... is omnipotence. They are all reflections of the "End". And finally... "Zero (Human/Origin)." Inside the Domination Theater, Ling ke''s true form slowly opened his lifeless eyes. Now, within his pupils, a vast starry sea was revealed. "So, this is the power of ''Human'' and ''Origin''." Once, before crossing over, Ling ke could not understand what the authority of Elysia, the "First Herrscher", symbolized. Now, he knew. The authority of the Herrscher of Human is¡ªConnection. And the authority of the Herrscher of Origin is¡ªRestoration. The latter can return the world to its original state. Not a reversal of time, but... the most fundamental world, unaffected by any supernatural factors. This is precisely why, in the original story, Elysia was able to interrupt the Herrscher of Corruption''s ability to reset in the "Elysian Realm". It is also the fundamental reason why the Herrschers of the current era have the opportunity to reclaim their humanity. Because, to a certain extent, they have all been "restored". Restored to the time before they were chosen by the Honkai. As for the authority of the Herrscher of Human... "A core component to communicate with the Finality?" Ling ke could only think of this description. For some reason, he thought of Elysia. The Herrscher who truly loved everyone... In the end, he sneered, "Cocoon of Finality, oh Cocoon of Finality, you can create the most perfect kind on your own, so why pursue those embellished, superficial imitations?" "Wouldn''t a flawless ''True Self'' be more deserving of a future than a group of ''fakes''?" At this very moment, as he uttered this conclusion from his personal perspective, with the "arrogance of a transmigrator"... Hum~ S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. An invisible wave of energy, like roots crawling across walls, began to spread across the entire Earth. At this moment, the "Destroyer of Worlds" sitting on the throne thought of a certain demon king named ZERO, with wings flashing in his eyes. "I destroy the world (Present era), and... created a new(Previous era)." Heaven bless the king~ The day of light is coming~ Let us bathe in your glory and triumph~ A silent requiem transformed into a primordial blessing. This is a story (tragedy) born because of me. This is the moment (miracle) that belongs entirely to me. World... "It has long needed to be healed." Inside the Domination Theater, Ling ke''s true form stood up from the throne, "Then, let''s wrap this up..." He instantly connected with all the Domination Puppets in the external reality. Then, using them as anchors... Ling ke''s true form clapped his hands together, as if to crush the cluster of golden-orange imaginary energy showing a tree-like silhouette... As if crushing the entire ugly world (Present era)... "Heal (Time Reversal)!!!" (TL/N: Keyaru is that You!? ????) Chapter 44 - 043 : Nonexistent Memories Meanwhile, on Earth... Space shattered, time reversed. North Africa, World Serpent headquarters, the outskirts of the base. Or, to be more precise: the location where this place once existed. Amidst this cataclysmic event... "!!!" Raiden Mei, Kiana, Bronya, Fu Hua, Theresa, Durandal, and Rita, who were in the shattered world but unharmed, were all enveloped in a dazzling white light. They had all been precisely, and meaningfully, chosen by Ling ke. They... The harm they were to suffer was only now truly arriving. A journey (exile) through reversed time was no cozy team-building exercise. It was, one by one... "Seele!" "Bronya-neechan!" Previously, there were ten operatives who had come to the World Serpent headquarters. But now, only seven were forcibly given a one-way ticket to the previous era. Ling ke would not ask for their consent. Just as those arrogant beings of the past never cared about the thoughts of their expendable tools. The divine white light completely isolated them from the world. This was the most powerless, most cruel moment of farewell that Ling ke had arranged for his "guests (enemies)". "No, don''t..." Bronya tried to grab Seele''s hand. Just like how she had once pulled her out of the Sea of Quanta. Just like how she had taken her to watch the sunset by the sea. Back then, their faces were filled with smiles of happiness. Back then, they felt they had truly walked out of the darkness. But even after basking in the light of the sunset, the night would eventually come. Just like now... It wasn''t just Seele. Rozaliya, Liliya... her "sisters". They were right in front of her, and against all logic, she could hear their voices, but no matter how hard she tried, Bronya couldn''t reach them. So close, yet worlds apart. And what would happen next... they all knew. An eternal separation. In a fleeting moment, a brief instant. Bronya recalled a sentence spoken by that avenger who had crossed "hell" and returned to the world from the "abyss". "Then I''ll make you... alone again." "!!!" Bronya was utterly panicked. At this moment, in her eyes, Seele, Rozaliya, Liliya... they were still trapped in the dying old world, about to perish with it. Suddenly... As if already aware of her fate... "Bronya-neechan..." "You must... live well." The kind-hearted girl was too naive. She didn''t know that the parting words she had instinctively spoken. Were actually the most vicious curse! Its name: Loneliness. Its meaning: Eternity. "No, that''s not right..." At the last moment, she seemed to have realized. She knew she had made a huge mistake. But it was too late. There was no time to fix it... Boom~ Ling ke was truly wicked. At the critical moment, like a reflection in a mirror or the moon on water, Seele, who was about to speak again, shattered along with the world (Present era). How can a broken mirror be made whole again? Humans are not omniscient and omnipotent gods. All of this happened before Bronya''s eyes. Silence~ A terrifying silence. After a long while... "Ah.." "Ahhh.." The emotionless girl, who had only recently regained her emotional center, was like a babbling infant, as if she had lost the ability to speak. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but what came out was not a heart-wrenching scream. Instead, this low, helpless melody was undoubtedly even more horrifying. Bronya stared blankly at everything before her. Was nothingness really just darkness? Why did she see something even more chilling¡ªpure white? Look, how considerate and kind darkness is. There, she could see nothing. But in this pure white broken world, forced to travel through reversed time. She had lost everything, yet she could still see her lonely self. And only... herself. ****** Meanwhile... Whoosh~ Standing in the ruins of Schicksal Headquarters, Otto, who was unsealing a special container resembling a hibernation pod, holding the Void Archives and Seven Thunders of Retribution, with the Thousand-Cubit World parked nearby, seemingly preparing to take action. He too was enveloped in white light. But upon closer inspection, one would notice that not far from him, Raven and Jackal had already fallen in a pool of blood. On the other side... After the "Domination Puppet: Ling ke" entered the Elysian Realm, Kevin, who had been tightly gripping the Judgment of Shamash, stood guard at the only entrance. Along with the entire Elysian Realm itself. Both began to glow with a white light. At this point, the "tickets" for the reversed time had all been distributed. In this moment... Perhaps it was the anomaly of time and the phenomenon of space interacting in some unforeseen way. Or perhaps... Sigh~ It was the sigh of a certain pioneer (Enlightened One) who had already ascended, unable to interfere with the intrinsic world through conventional means, expressing helplessness. And so, in an instant... Ling ke, along with everyone he had specially chosen, saw some... illusory scenes. an Nonexistent Memories. It was a clear, ordinary morning... In a classroom at St. Freya Academy. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, forming ribbons of light like silk. Snap! "Ouch!" A piece of chalk accurately hit Kiana''s forehead. She jolted up from her desk, drool still at the corner of her mouth. Her eyes still closed, she mumbled, "Aunt Himeko, I know, the answer is C." Beside her, Mei, her desk mate, was facepalming in exasperation. Bronya, on the other hand, turned her head away in disdain. On the podium, a fiery figure teaching fill-in-the-blank questions smiled with a nuclear kindness. And not far away... The only boy in the classroom, resting his cheek on his right hand, watched this everyday scene unfold, his lips unconsciously curling into a slight smile. Kiana, of course, was sent to stand outside the classroom as punishment. After class ended... "Kiana, did you stay up late again last night?" "No, I didn''t." "Bronya can confirm, idiot Kiana played games all night." "But I was playing with you, why are you only blaming me?" "Bronya has undergone professional training since childhood, her willpower is far beyond that of idiot Kiana." "What do you mean? And... stop calling me an idiot." As the black-haired young man walked out of the classroom, he saw the white-haired girl stomping her feet, "The one calling others an idiot is the real super idiot." And just as she saw him appear... "Ling, come have dinner with us tonight!" Mei smiled, extending the invitation, "I''ve learned a few new dishes recently, Chinese cuisine taught by Class Monitor Fu Hua." "I think you''ll like them." "Sure!" The black-haired young man nodded with a smile, "I''ll be there on time." The two of them chatted naturally. Meanwhile, Kiana, seeing how close he was with Mei, suddenly felt a sense of crisis. Like a protective kitten, she fiercely stepped between her Mei and the black-haired young man, baring her teeth. Seeing this, Bronya couldn''t help but roll her eyes. But no matter how they teased each other... in the end, the four of them walked away from the school building, laughing and chatting. Suddenly, the scene shifted... It was when they were on a mission to the Oceania branch, and Cocolia led the Anti-Entropy mecha forces to attack, attempting to remotely control Bronya to assault Wendy. But at the critical moment, the black-haired young man defied logic by transforming mid-air, his entire body turning into a nearly twenty-meter-tall humanoid mecha. He called it: Freedom Gundam. With a single "Rainbow Cannon" blast, he repelled all the Anti-Entropy mechas, and with his mechanical arms, he gathered his companions into his embrace, safely rescuing everyone. Above the clouds, the girls spread their arms, laughing with the joy of survival. That was true freedom. Then another scene... At Schicksal Headquarters, Otto was planning to make his move on Kiana. But one evening, he encountered an unexpected guest. The two reached some kind of agreement... and from that moment on, the former "Tyrant of the Heavens" underwent a complete 180-degree change in attitude. He became the kind and amiable grandfather in Theresa''s eyes, and the slacker who loved to slack off and play Kallen Fantasy in the eyes of his juniors. He halted all inhumane experiments within Schicksal and focused on promoting welfare projects. He bowed deeply to Durandal, confessing everything. He began traveling the world, visiting each person he had harmed. In the most humble manner, he sought to atone and repay, not seeking forgiveness. All because that mysterious person had said: "There was once a ''Winter Soldier'' who did the same." Later, at some point, the leadership of Schicksal changed. Otto became the right-hand man assisting "that woman." After being slapped by her, his personality was corrected, and he began striving for a better tomorrow under her demands. At that time, he was truly a benevolent "priest." But this priest, who was reliable in major matters but utterly hopeless in minor ones, often acted extremely unreliably. In private, he kept bowing and scraping, begging that mysterious person not to reveal the fact that a certain "vixen" had also been resurrected too soon to the white moonlight in his heart. According to Otto: "The sisters need time to reunite, let''s not disturb them as outsiders." But what he was really scheming, those who understood, understood. Because the final boss of Kallen Fantasy V was yet another fox-eared woman. And later... A certain purple-haired girl regained her family. Her birth mother from her memories, her childhood playmates, all came back to life. Seele, trapped in the Sea of Quanta, was able to return. The World Serpent''s covert operations, the crisis in Sky City, were safely resolved through everyone''s joint efforts. Later... there was Coral Island, Taixuan Mountain... and so on. Almost every tragedy turned to joy had that black-haired young man involved. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Everyone grew accustomed to his presence, relying on him, chasing after him, walking alongside him. In their vision, there was always "your" smiling face. As long as he was there, everyone felt completely at ease. And so, they arrived at the "Elysian Realm," met the "Flame-Chasers," made up for the regrets of the previous era, and successfully crossed the "Finality" under billions of blessings. The human civilization on Earth finally welcomed a brand-new tomorrow. Even the already destroyed previous era, with the help of that black-haired young man, existed as the "neighboring world" of the current era. Not a world bubble, not a subspace, but a true... second world. The two eras began to exchange resources. No petty villain could escape his gaze. No one dared to cause trouble. Then, one night... Pop! Pop! In the celebratory room, Kiana and Theresa laughed and cheered, pulling the strings of party poppers. In the kitchen not far away, Mei, Bronya, Seele, and Wendy were busy preparing the meal. Liliya was pouting as Rozaliya teased her. Fu Hua, leading a certain head-scratching Sushang who had a big steamed bun in her mouth, and the serene Cheng Lixue, along with the "Flame-Chasers," had just entered, each carrying bags of groceries. Elysia, holding an electronic megaphone, secretly recorded, her face showing a "I''m committing a crime right now.jpg" tongue-sticking expression. Eden and Aponia, seeing her like this, exchanged a helpless smile. A certain faceless hothead strode straight into the kitchen, where he and Mei clashed, resulting in a burst of flames and lightning. He let out a maniacal laugh, luckily it was a standalone house, so no neighbors called the police misunderstanding it. But it scared even Pardofelis, who was pretending to slack off on the sofa but had her hand unconsciously reaching into someone''s pocket, making her hair stand on end. Sakura, allergic to cat hair, sneezed several times. Rin gently patted her sister''s back, then considerately handed her a glass of warm water. Mobius was carefully pushed into the room by Klein, Danzhu, and Cangxu. By the window, the silent boy Kosma and Dystopia, using telekinesis, were helping to hang a banner on the wall. Griseo was fiddling with something near the chimney, and when her parents approached with smiles, she clumsily tried to act cute to get away with it. Kevin, Su, and MEI chatted casually, while Rita set the table. At that moment, Durandal and her biological parents, Siegfried and Cecilia, descended from the second floor. A family of three... no, now a family of five. Because Durandal had not reclaimed her former name, she was quite content with her life as "Bianka Ataegina." And she had two younger sisters, one named Kiana, and the other... Sirin. Sirin really disliked the occasional visits from Welt Joyce, Yang, Elias (Yang''s dad), Einstein, Tesla... and that group of scholars from the "Most Epic Group Photo" who were all decades old. Especially that messy-haired doctor and the lobster doctor, always nagging her to study, study, study... Seeing that hiding behind Bella was useless, she quickly made a run for it. And just as she was scurrying past a certain spot, you could see a certain drunken fiery figure, completely unhinged, leaning on the shoulder of a certain black-haired young man, causing a scene. Behind them, on the wall, were two banners hung by Kosma and Dystopia, one above the other. "Congratulations to Major Himeko on her honorable retirement!" "Congratulations to Major Ling ke on becoming the new captain of the Hyperion!" The final moment of the scene was Vill-V using her latest, oddly designed camera to take pictures. She was capturing the beautiful moments. Every single moment. Suddenly... The moment frozen in eternity, in the center of the richly detailed photo, the most prominent spot... That drunken fiery figure, with a white military cap, casually plopped it onto the head of the black-haired young man who almost lost his balance. Faintly, one could hear... "Everyone, you''ve been saved by him." "Yes, from now on, I will save even more people, more civilizations, more eras, more worlds." "I have this ability..." "After all, I am a ''savior''..." Chapter 45 - 044 : The birth of the Once upon a time, Ling ke still dreamed. In his dreams, he lived under the sun, free from the torment of endless interrogations, not a piece of experimental flesh. His initial sincerity... or perhaps naivety, was not betrayed. Raiden Mei chose to believe him, simply because she sensed no malice from him. Cocolia was not omnipotent. Because back then, her artificial Honkai project had not fully launched, and Raiden Ryoma was still his daughter''s protector. The spies she had planted in Nagazora City were not as numerous as one might think. So, even though Raiden Ryoma was swamped during that period, upon receiving a message from Raiden Mei, he rushed home in a hurry, after a long absence. Not as the masked "Homu Sword Saint." But as a "father." He resolutely stood against Cocolia, the radical faction of Anti-Entropy. Using the "leverage" he held, he threatened her to back down. In the end, Cocolia had no choice but to compromise. And thus, she harbored a grudge against that black-haired young man who seemed to have come out of nowhere. Yet, in the face of such malice, his earnest heart remained unextinguished, and he still had the courage to move forward. Nagazora City was saved, and millions avoided the cruel fate of untimely death. He and Mei became close friends. Later, he met the white-haired ball of energy who called herself "this young lady"¡ªKiana Kaslana. And the one secretly sent by Cocolia, who ended up getting herself involved¡ªBronya Zaychik. "Bronya, you wouldn''t want Seele to remain unsaved, would you?" At the time, he had jokingly teased her like this. But in the end, he kept his promise. As the "Savior Player," he saved all those who were on the brink of death and "brought back" all those who had already passed. In his presence, there were no tragedies in this world. A certain pink fairy girl said that he had created a true "Elysium." A certain stubborn snake-like doctor said that he had ascended to the true "Throne of God." Everyone who was willing to believe in him had a good ending. And then... The dream ended. Once, what filled his vision was the cold prison cell, the blinding fluorescent lights, and the eyes that saw him as nothing more than expendable material. Now, it was the moment after the farewell... "..." North Africa, the Sahara Desert. The time is: the Previous Era. There are... 208 days left until the Third Honkai Eruption. Here, there is no so-called World Serpent headquarters base. It is just an ordinary night. Ling ke lies alone in the sand, silent. The next moment... "What a ridiculous, laughable, and utterly disgusting ''nightmare.''" "The ''Enlightened One'' who ascended... you, who can observe the timeline but cannot interfere with the world, are unexpectedly mischievous." "These ''what ifs,'' those ''supposes,'' for them (my enemies), are like knives stabbing straight into their hearts." "Hmm, it''s just that the timing of the ''drama'' arrangement was a bit off, somewhat stiff, and didn''t fully bring out the ironic flavor." Thinking this, as if suffering from "occupational disease," he gave a brief critique before letting out a big yawn. Clearly, he didn''t care about those "what ifs" and "supposes." But he knew very well that while he didn''t care, some people definitely would... "Heh~" Not to mention, after being played like this by the "Enlightened One," he was in a pretty good mood now. Because this was the first time he hadn''t arranged anything, yet someone was about to be emotionally destroyed. Truly satisfying. "But that last scene, why did it feel so much like the ending of Evangelion?" Lingke couldn''t help but complain. As if he wasn''t commenting on "himself." Well, the so-called "Savior Player" could no longer be him. As the name suggests, it was¡ªa nonexistent memory. At this moment, he was still wearing that neat evening suit, but he had no intention of maintaining an elegant image. Having long resided in the "Theater," he no longer needed to "perform." He just lay there, completely relaxed. Letting some sand slip into his sleeves and the back of his collar due to his exaggerated movements. The sand at night was cold. But he was still too lazy to move his body. Only because what he saw before his eyes was... too beautiful. Forcing time to revert over 50,000 years... such an outrageous feat, he had accomplished it. The price he paid was different from Otto''s. It was merely that his Domination Theater... the "Rebirth Chamber," now had a bonsai-like sapling. A sapling of the Imaginary Tree. It... or rather, "He," felt that this was the safest place. A pure land free from the erosion of the Quantum Sea, capable of sustaining His eternal existence. If, one day in the future, the true, massive Imaginary Tree were to collapse, this would be His "second chance." To put it bluntly, in Ling ke''s understanding... that little sapling, clinging to his leg like a child, constantly radiating goodwill, was like... the Honkai Impact 3rd world''s plus-pro-max-super version of¡ªLittle Lord Kusanali? Or perhaps... "Like having a slightly special little pet?" Lingke complained in his heart. As for this little uninvited guest, he didn''t mind its arrival. Because now, he felt only gratitude toward the Honkai and the Imaginary Tree. Even toward the belated "system"... "I hate you, ''Creator,'' for making me endure pain and suffering." "I also thank you, ''Creator,'' for granting me the power of revenge." "But, no matter what..." "I still praise you, great ''Creator.''" He murmured to himself. Of course, if we''re talking about "pets"... Now, in his Domination Theater, there were over a dozen "electronic pets." They were also the "audience" for the upcoming acts. Or perhaps even "participants." As for them, in Ling ke''s heart... No hatred, but resentment. Because they had helped Raiden Mei. And that punch from Kalpas, though it didn''t land on his (true form''s) face... Ling ke was quite petty and held grudges. (TL/N: WE KNOW!) "If Raiden Mei truly decides to destroy your era''s ''second chance'' for the sake of her own era..." "What would you all feel in your hearts?" Ling ke was very curious about this. Suddenly, he thought of that pink figure, the daughter of the gods sent by the stars and moon. "The starry sky?" Now, after briefly ascending to godhood, though he had shed his divine authority, his essence had reached a higher level. He appeared "ordinary," but the "starry sky" in his eyes had faded. No longer profound. But as his unfocused gaze shifted upward, what he saw was the real, clear, boundless starry sky stretching across the heavens. It was so beautiful, dazzling and brilliant. Suddenly... "Heh, ''Ymir''s Rebirth,'' huh!" Ling ke laughed. Looking at the scene around him, as he complained about himself, it was no longer that cold, forced, twisted smile. But a wild, utterly unrestrained one... At this moment, he felt that this new era, for him personally, even the air was fresh. At this moment, he truly felt that he was living for himself. His shattered heart had been reshaped. No longer empty. But his eyes still lacked focus. The eyes are the windows to the soul. He truly, once again, had a "heart." No longer "void." But still "turbid." Even so, Ling ke didn''t care. He sat up... "Tsk~" Reached out and grabbed a handful of fine sand. His palm naturally opened, letting the grains slip through his fingers, carried away by the wind. In just a few breaths, little sand remained. Just like his once-shattered heart. Even now, though somewhat repaired, there wasn''t much left. He spread his palm wider, letting the wind scatter the last grains of sand. Without a trace of attachment. Just like those "nonexistent memories." Because now, he knew very well... there was no need to force things that didn''t belong to him. He didn''t care for them. Of course, if he really wanted to force it... he would make the entire world (game) revolve around him (the player). "Heh!" Ling ke chuckled lightly. Then, leaning on his knees, he stood up... "You will know you''re reborn tonight~" "Must be ragged but I''ll stay by your side~" "Even if my body is bleached to the bones~" "I don''t want to go through that ever again~" Unconsciously, Ling ke hummed a familiar, fitting song. (TL/N: For those who not know. It''s Song with title "Call of Silence") Though without accompaniment, it lacked some beauty. But he still amused himself, celebrating this "second chance" that belonged both to this era and to him alone. Now, he no longer needed to shut himself in the Domination Theater, sitting alone on that ornate throne. Because after briefly ascending to godhood and then shedding it, his essence had reached a higher level. His consciousness core had merged with the "Rebirth Chamber." Thus, he himself, like those Domination Puppets carrying various game character templates, could die and be reborn again and again. Or perhaps, it could be said: immortal and indestructible. And so... Tap~ Tap~ Tap~ Footprints were left in the soft sand, leading away. Looking up... The night sky seemed to have a shooting star. It was as if it symbolized this era, about to welcome a glorious moment! Perhaps this time... It was forcibly bestowed by "malice": eternity! ****** "Mmm~" Raiden Mei had a dream. In the dream, it was all "nonexistent memories." They were so beautiful. So much so that even after waking up, she still felt an overwhelming reluctance to let go. She was lost in thought for a long time. Reality, as expected, was much crueler. At this moment, she raised her head, looking around... Under the night sky, yellow sand stretched everywhere. Only she... was alone. Whoosh~ The cold night breeze brushed her cheeks, stirring her hair. (TL/N: The wind is truly paid actor ????) It wasn''t until she felt the cool touch on the back of her hand that she realized she had already shed tears. "So, that was the real (former) him." Raiden Mei''s expression was somewhat dazed. At one point, unconsciously, like a devout believer, she stretched out her hands, holding a handful of fine sand. As if cradling a "spark" in her chest. But suddenly... Whoosh~ The night wind of the desert blew, and the sand in her hands grew less and less. No matter how she tried to hold onto it. She wanted to clench her hands tighter, but that only squeezed more sand out... At this moment, she restless inexplicably. She wanted to gather more from the side, but after this "wrong judgment," the sand in her hands was no longer the original handful. Nor did it belong to her. At this moment, she broke down. "I was wrong!" "Really wrong!!" "Wrong from the very beginning!!!" "It''s all because of me, all because of me..." Raiden Mei collapsed weakly on the spot, tears dripping onto the back of her hand, "I''m sorry, I''m sorry, I''m sorry..." By now, she could no longer tell who she was apologizing to. Was it Ling ke, whom she already felt guilty toward? Or... that era that had already vanished? At this moment, bowing to fate, she couldn''t see the shooting star streaking across the sky. It was so captivating. Even though the night sky was filled with stars, the first thing you''d notice was it. But soon, it disappeared, falling below the horizon. Just like the lost glory, everything that was lost. All turned into "void." After that, who knows how much time passed... At some point... Raiden Mei herself didn''t notice... The hair accessory that bound her hair shattered. Her purple hair cascaded like a waterfall. Her tears had dried. But the tear stains on her face... Were eerily red. And at the tips of her hair... Faintly, a desolate pale color seemed to spread upward. But like an illusion, it flashed and disappeared. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Volume 1 : Tarnished. Finish. (TL/N: Now how you guys feeling? should I continue the volume 2? or this story is actually trash? well anyway see you next month. perhaps. I will update season 2 one chapter a day while surfing the internet for a new fanfic!. but please give me reccomend for a good fanfic so maybe I can translate it into this platform. I mean it. and could you guys try comment or something. I love read all your comments tbh hehe) Chapter 46 - 45 – A Nagazora City, Senba Academy. The sky gradually darkened, casting a soft, amber glow over the city. Thud~ Inside the school''s indoor gymnasium, the rhythmic sound of a basketball hitting the floor echoed. A white-haired young man, Kevin, was practicing his shots with a mix of determination and clumsiness. Kevin had always been naturally athletic. From a young age, he could outrun and outjump his peers. But he never found satisfaction in relying solely on brute strength. To him, true mastery lay in technique¡ªthe kind of skill that, when honed through relentless effort, could lead to that glorious moment of victory. Recently, he had developed an interest in basketball. It wasn''t just a game of physical prowess; it required finesse, strategy, and precision. If he could master it, he felt it would prove something profound about himself. Today was his first serious attempt. At one point... Swish~ The basketball sailed smoothly through the net. "Nice!" Kevin clenched his fist, his face lighting up with excitement. Even though it was just a simple shot, and even though he had been standing close to the hoop, the small victory filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction. Unfortunately, neither his best friend, Su, nor the girl he liked, MEI. were there to witness it. He couldn''t share this joy with anyone. Just then... Thud~ thud~ thud~ The basketball bounced a few times before rolling to the edge of the court¡ªright to someone else''s feet. "Huh?" Kevin froze. Had someone else been in the gym this whole time? How had he not noticed? He looked up and saw a black-haired young man who appeared rather ordinary, perhaps slightly handsome. He didn''t hold a candle to Kevin in terms of looks¡ªKevin wasn''t vain, but he was confident in his appearance. Yet, there was something about this person¡ªan aura of mystery, a depth that Kevin couldn''t quite grasp. His eyes, though unfocused, seemed to see through everything. "Here you go," the black-haired young man said casually, picking up the basketball and tossing it back to Kevin. For a moment, Kevin felt as though what had been returned to him wasn''t just a basketball, but an opportunity¡ªa second chance. "Ah, oh... thanks," Kevin stammered, catching the ball. He was naturally outgoing, and curiosity got the better of him. "Are you a new transfer student? I''ve never seen you before!" He paused, noting the stranger''s lack of a Senba Academy uniform but chose not to mention it. The black-haired young man twitched his lips, attempting a casual smile. "No, I just happened to pass by. I''ve been busy with a big project lately. Now that it''s done, I thought I''d take a walk and look around." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "A big project?" Kevin pointed at him, then at himself. "Are you some kind of big-shot businessman? But you look about the same age as me." "People''s paths in life are different," the stranger shrugged. "School isn''t the only way forward... Of course, there are also many who want to study but can''t due to various reasons." He paused, as if realizing he''d said too much. "Ah, never mind. Your friends are here. I won''t disturb you any longer. Farewell." He gestured toward the gymnasium door. "Good luck, hero of ''salvation.''" "Huh?" Kevin was stunned. The door was still shut, and the gym''s soundproofing was excellent. He hadn''t heard any footsteps. How did this guy know someone was coming? Before Kevin could ask, the stranger was gone¡ªvanished as if he''d never been there. At that moment, the door opened. Su and Mei walked in, chatting casually. Unlike Kevin, who excelled in physical activities, Su and MEI were more academically inclined, often staying late after school. "Let''s go, Kevin," Su called out. "It''s time to eat. Aren''t we going to Eden''s concert tonight? We''re running a bit late." MEI nodded in agreement, but they noticed Kevin staring blankly in the direction where the stranger had been. "Was it an illusion?" Kevin muttered to himself. "No way... I haven''t been staying up late lately. Could it be... I met a ghost?" "Hey!" Su slapped Kevin''s shoulder, startling him. "Whoa!" Kevin nearly dropped the basketball. "Oh, it''s you, Su. Why''d you walk so quietly?" "You were too focused," Su said, rolling his eyes. "Mei and I called out to you several times. What were you so jumpy about?" Kevin hesitated. "Uh, it''s nothing. I just met a strange person." "A strange person?" MEI raised an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?" "Because he was just here," Kevin gestured animatedly, "but when I turned around, he was gone." MEI gave him a look that clearly said, What are you even talking about? "It''s true!" Kevin insisted. "Before you came in, he even told me someone was coming..." "Uh, Kevin," Su interrupted, "isn''t it possible that this gym only has one entrance? The one MEI and I just walked through." Kevin froze. That was true. The realization sent a chill down his spine. "Whoa," he exclaimed. "Did I really meet a ghost? But why was it a guy?" (TL/N: indeed Kevin. I hope if I meet a ghost it be will a busty milf ghost ????) Mei blinked. "Huh?" ****** Meanwhile, outside Senba Academy, a black-haired young man walked side by side with a white-haired young man¡ªa figure who seemed both familiar and otherworldly. "I didn''t expect that the ''Enlightened One'' of the future would also be at Senba Academy," the black-haired young man remarked. "I thought he''d be living in another city at this time." The white-haired young man replied, "Su was an exchange student at Senba Academy for a while. But he left before the ''Third Collapse.'' We didn''t meet again until four years later, after the ''Seventh Collapse.''" (TL/N: is it okay to use Collapse terms? or it''s better to use "Third honkai impact"? for future chapter) He paused, then added, "Eden''s concert... Su and I only went to two of them. Tonight will be the last one." The black-haired young man raised an eyebrow. "Aren''t you going to see your best friend and your beloved?" "No need," the white-haired young man said solemnly. "Just seeing them from afar is enough. This new era belongs to them... not to me, a ghost who shouldn''t exist." The black-haired young man smiled faintly. "But you don''t plan to disappear either, do you? What are you planning to do next?" "I am a Flame-Chaser bearing the mark of ''salvation,''" the white-haired young man answered firmly. "That was true in the past, and it will be true in the future. I will protect this era from the shadows, watching over those who might try to destroy it." His gaze lingered on the black-haired young man, as if seeing him as both a threat and a necessary evil. This "second chance" had been granted by the black-haired young man, but it was born not out of benevolence, but from a deeper, more complex motive¡ªa "malice" directed at certain individuals. "You''ve chosen your path, Kevin... no, Kevin Kaslana," the black-haired young man said with a faint smile. "Just keep going, stay true to your beliefs." "And you?" Kevin Kaslana asked. "Ling ke, now that you''ve achieved your revenge, what do you plan to do next?" "Me?" Ling ke''s lips curled into a slight smile. "It''s simple. Just as I told the other you, the last ''big project'' is done. Before the ''next act'' begins, I want to take a walk¡ªto see this... perhaps different era with my own eyes." He stretched lazily, as if savoring the rare moment of freedom. "I haven''t had this much free time in a long time. Consider it a little vacation." Kevin nodded slightly. "Understood. Then, let''s part ways here." He turned and walked toward another path at the corner. But before he disappeared, he paused and said, "I hope we won''t meet again." With that, the man who had chosen solitude walked away, leaving a trail of frost in his wake. Ling ke watched him go, a faint smile playing on his lips. "How decisive." He stopped thinking about Kevin. After all, he was now living for himself. The "next act" he had mentioned¡ªthe "first batch of actors" had already taken their places. During his free time, he could enjoy watching them. It was his masterpiece. Besides that... "Tonight, there''s Eden''s concert?" Ling ke mused to himself. "In the original story, it was praised so highly... I''m really curious! Alright, let''s see just how amazing it is to deserve the title of ''world''s number one superstar.'' I hope it won''t waste my vacation time." And with that, Ling ke disappeared into the bustling streets of Nagazora City, ready to witness the next chapter of this unfolding era. (TL/N: I''m back hehe.) Chapter 47 - 046 : This Scene Feels Familiar... No longer clad in a suit, no longer pretending to wear pristine white gloves. And... To hell with "elegance." Ling Ke no longer needed these "masks." He was now completely free. He wore a black T-shirt with the ironic words "Love and Peace" printed on the chest. Paired with loose-fitting pants and canvas shoes. If he added a baseball cap, he''d look like a street dancer. Ling Ke, the eraser of an era, the "World-Ending Player," the Herrscher of Dominance who once ascended to godhood, now pruning the new Imaginary Tree like a bonsai. He was¡ªon¡ªvacation!!! At the moment, he was holding the classic combo of "popcorn + cold drink." Normally, he should have been sitting in a quiet movie theater, legs crossed, enjoying the single life while being bombarded with dog food from couples around him. But with his erratic thoughts, he brought the "movie theater combo" to a place that was the complete opposite of "quiet"¡ªa concert venue. Right now, he was surrounded by people waving glow sticks and cheering loudly. Only he remained seated, munching away like a lone chicken among cranes. Truly marching to the beat of his own drum. This was the concert venue of the superstar Eden. Now, this top-tier artist, who had already made a name for herself through a charity performance and was rapidly rising to fame, stood on her stage, under the spotlight, singing for her era. She was still just an ordinary person. Unaware that her era was a "revisited" one. But she was still enjoying the present. "The performance is quite impressive." Ling Ke continued munching, silently critiquing, "Even though I''m not a fan of classical music or opera, I''m still thoroughly enjoying this. My mood has improved even more." "Still, I prefer the ''script'' I carefully prepared." Speaking of which... "My first batch of ''passengers'' has already started moving." Ling Ke suddenly thought with a hint of sarcasm, "I never saw her being so efficient before." (TL/N: I''m not player HI3, just enjoy some of animation from it. so I wonder. is Raiden Mei typical like to slacking off?) "Guess a little pressure is necessary for growth, even transformation." Clearly, Ling Ke was referring to something he found even more enjoyable. The "shows" he had orchestrated, the ones he loved watching, were now playing out around the clock. For example: right now... ****** Middle East. Here, religious forces were complex, and war was a constant. Within its borders, there was a lawless zone that even the surrounding people considered extremely dangerous. Its name: Twilight Street. Today, Twilight Street welcomed an uninvited guest. They were wrapped up tightly. From their figure, it seemed to be a woman. Under the hooded coat, purple hair could be seen. Faintly visible was a tall, graceful figure and a striking face. Unsurprisingly, they... she attracted many malicious gazes. "Phew~" The purple-haired girl... Raiden Mei let out a long breath. She had been in this era, which she knew a little about but was still largely unfamiliar with, for two days now. She was no longer the Herrscher of Thunder. But her combat power had strangely... increased instead of decreased. As if, a few days ago, when cracks began to form in her heart, she had stepped onto some bizarre "path." After noticing the anomaly within herself, Raiden Mei once tested the inexplicable power that had inexplicably attached itself to her in the Sahara Desert of this era. It was truly easy to lose oneself in it. But it was also extraordinarily powerful. So powerful that she felt even her previous self, as the complete Herrscher of Thunder, was too weak. It could obliterate everything with a flip of her hand. So powerful that... these past few days, she often wondered: if she had possessed this kind of... sufficient strength back then... Could everything have been salvaged? But now, no matter how many times such thoughts arise, they are useless. Because although this power is immense, it cannot interfere with time. This is not its "path." It can only cause ultimate destruction, leading to "loss," to "annihilation," to... turning all "existent" forms into "nothingness." Therefore, the current Raiden Mei cannot save others, nor can she save herself. All she has left are the means to inflict "harm." She feels so lost. She doesn''t know how to proceed on her path. Even though, in those overly beautiful "non-existent memories," she has already learned many inside stories. But... The one-way ticket forcibly given by Ling Ke, which travels against time, is not a gift, but a shackle. The other party has clearly extinguished, for the time being, even the possibility of "traveling together." Do you still think you can easily huddle together for warmth? Surely not, surely not? It was as if such an overly malicious, silent sneer was constantly lingering in her ears. Raiden Mei has already learned that the "passengers" chosen by Ling Ke will not arrive at the same place at the same time. Yes, she and Kiana, and Bronya, and the class monitor, and the school principal... even Durandal, Rita, and... Otto. They are all separated. All "passengers," their times and places of arrival, even the manner of their arrival, are all different. She and that "savior" Kevin Kaslana are the "first batch." After that, when the remaining few will come to this era, where they will land, who will discover them first, and what kind of chaos they will be drawn into... She knows nothing. Only that they will inevitably come. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Because this was Ling Ke''s "thoughtful" parting reminder to her at the last moment. And those few words, falling into her ears, were also extremely grating. Don''t worry, your Kiana will not disappear. Because you did subconsciously make a choice, believing her to be more important than the world... at least more important than your biological father. Yes, she subconsciously chose Kiana. Before the day of farewell arrived, she chose to go to her side, letting others protect her father. Thus, her biological father... Raiden Ryoma, along with the old world (era), has turned into "nothingness." Ling Ke has always been fulfilling cruel promises in his overly unique way. And now... this is the result of her choice. Even though she absolutely does not want to admit that she indeed subconsciously... abandoned the other side. "Hypocrisy... is it!" Raiden Mei really wants to laugh at herself. But now... It seems she can''t laugh anymore. In her mind, thoughts are swirling. Suddenly... "Hmm?" Raiden Mei sensed someone approaching her quickly from behind. Thud~ That person was clearly heading straight for her, brushed past her, and then prepared to run away quickly. However... "Sorry... huh?" One of the person''s hands was caught in Raiden Mei''s palm. The whole person was thus pulled, and their steps were forcibly stopped. At this moment, what her purple eyes saw was a familiar, yet somewhat different, dirty face. Missing a pair of cat ears, and the pupils were still in a normal human form. Looking down... The person was holding an ornament. It was one of the few souvenirs she could truly bring out from the "Elysian Realm." A pink crystal flower. (TL/N: Lol. is there backstory where is Pardofelis a thief?) Although it looked valuable, but... well, Raiden Mei didn''t know what its value was in this era. She just felt that keeping it had meaning, so she always carried it with her. She had 12 similar small ornaments. Anyway, right now... "Uh, that... boss... you... this... don''t misunderstand... ha, haha..." The girl with one hand caught was visibly flustered, "I just..." "Pardo." Facing the vaguely familiar face in her memory, Raiden Mei, now influenced by that strange power, subconsciously spoke, "Can you help me, take me to see Aponia?" "Huh?" The dirty girl was stunned. This person... Why does she call me Pardo directly? So intimately? (TL/N: mei want to fuc-) Chapter 48 - 047 : Pardofelis As a seasoned expert who had spent years navigating the lawless underbelly of Twilight Street, Pardofelis had honed an instinctive ability to discern whether someone harbored ill intentions toward her. That was why she found the current situation so perplexing. The woman standing before her had clearly caught her red-handed in the act of theft¡ªyet despite possessing skills far beyond ordinary, she radiated not a shred of malice. If anything, there was an inexplicable kindness in her demeanor, almost as if... She knows me. But that was the crux of the problem. "I don''t know her!" Pardofelis thought, her mind racing. "Who is she, really?" The Pardofelis of this era was not yet the future fusion warrior infamous as the "scaredy-cat." Her thoughts were far from the high-level strategizing of a MANTIS¡ªinstead, they swirled in frantic, survival-driven circles. After a long, awkward silence... "Uh, boss..." Pardo raised her free hand (the other still caught in Raiden Mei''s grip) and gestured between them. "Have we... met before?" Raiden Mei froze. The truth was, the bizarre circumstances that had thrust her into this era¡ªmore than fifty thousand years before her own time¡ªhad left her disoriented. The sheer impossibility of her situation made it difficult to fully adapt, and she often found herself lost in thought, struggling to reconcile past and present. Fortunately... "Boss, do you have some... unspeakable difficulties?" Pardofelis, ever perceptive¡ªor perhaps simply well-practiced in avoiding sensitive topics¡ªquickly picked up on Raiden Mei''s hesitation. To her, this was just another survival tactic: steer clear of dangerous conversations. Of course, her natural curiosity ached to dig deeper. But Pardo had long since learned that curiosity, for someone like her, was a luxury she couldn''t afford. So instead, she pivoted smoothly. "Boss, do you know Sister Aponia?" Then, with a sheepish wiggle of her trapped wrist: "And... isn''t it a little awkward for us to be standing here like this?" Raiden Mei blinked, then released her grip. "Ah. My apologies." She exhaled slowly before answering. "Yes, I know Aponia. I came to Twilight Street specifically to seek her help." Pardo''s eyes gleamed with sudden interest. "Oh?" Her mind whirred, already piecing together possibilities. "Can I ask... what kind of help you''re looking for from Sister Aponia?" Raiden Mei hesitated again. The truth was, she was still adjusting. Moments ago, she''d carelessly addressed Pardo by name¡ªa mistake that could have been disastrous. Now, fully aware of the stakes, she reminded herself: This isn''t the Elysian Realm. These aren''t data constructs. They''re real people, living real lives¡ªfifty millennia before my time. The MANTIS project might not even exist yet. The "future" she knew was nothing more than distant possibility here. That meant she had to tread carefully. Aponia, with her foresight, might warrant a different approach. But with Pardo... "I just need to ask her a few questions," Raiden Mei finally said, offering neither lie nor full truth. Pardo''s ears perked up. "Ah! Just questions, got it, got it." She clapped her hands together. "Sister Aponia does help people with their problems." Then, with a sly tilt of her head: "Though... nobody who''s asked her things ever goes back for seconds." That was new information¡ªsomething not recorded in the Elysian Realm''s archives. Raiden Mei filed it away silently. Meanwhile, Pardo let out a relieved sigh. "Phew! So you''re just a ''guest.'' Really had me worried for a sec¡ªuh?" She didn''t miss the way Raiden Mei flinched at the word guest¡ªa reaction so sharp it bordered on reflexive. Like trauma. Or some kind of conditioned response. Pardo wasn''t one for psychology jargon, but she knew when to change tactics. Her next move was simple: Might as well lead her there. After all... Everyone in Twilight Street knows where Sister Aponia''s sanatorium is. And this boss? Definitely not someone to mess with. Being caught mid-theft by a stranger was proof enough of that. So... Whether I take her or not, she''ll find it. Might as well tag along and see what''s up. Still... Sister Aponia''s all gentle smiles and soft words, but something about her creeps me out. Decision made: I''ll just drop her at the door and duck out. Maybe peek from a corner... With that, Pardo slipped back into her street-smart persona. "Boss, you''re in luck! You''ve got the best guide in Twilight Street right here." She launched into her usual routine¡ªhoned from years of scraping by: - Meeting someone new? Start with "brother" or "sister"¡ªsmall titles, big potential returns. - Men? Compliment their looks. Women? Go for "kind-hearted beauty." And within minutes... "Y''know, Sister Mei, life''s got its rough patches, but nothing you can''t bounce back from! Look at me¡ªno family, no nothing, still kicking around just fine!" She nudged Raiden Mei playfully. "Bet those fancy high-rollers with their banquets and dramas aren''t half as free as we are, huh?" Somehow, she''d already weaseled out Raiden Mei''s name *and* clocked her gloomy mood. Now, she was in full pep-talk mode. And oddly enough... it worked. Not fully, of course. Raiden Mei''s burdens ran too deep for a few words to fix. But for the first time in what felt like ages, the weight on her shoulders lightened¡ªjust a fraction. "Thank you, Pardo." The thought came unbidden, followed by another, quieter one: If only I''d been this patient back then. If I''d tried¡ªeven once¡ªto respond instead of shutting him out... Would that impossibly beautiful, "non-existent memory" have become real? Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 49 - 048 : Those Empty Eyes... "This is the place." The words left Pardofelis''s lips like a whisper, barely audible over the distant hum of Twilight Street''s underbelly. Raiden Mei stood before the rusted iron gates of a dilapidated courtyard, her breath steady but her nerves taut. The journey here had been anything but pleasant. Every step through the grime-coated streets had been a reminder of just how far this place had fallen¡ªhow deep the rot had seeped into its foundations. The orphanage before her was a relic of better days, its crumbling walls and cracked pavement telling stories of neglect. Yet, against all odds, life thrived within. Children''s laughter rang through the air, bright and unburdened¡ªso starkly out of place in this den of shadows. Mei''s fingers twitched at her side. She had seen horrors in her time¡ªwars waged, cities razed, the abyss of human cruelty laid bare. But Twilight Street was different. It wasn''t the destruction of battle; it was the slow, gnawing decay of hope. The alleys here were not just dark¡ªthey were alive with menace. Eyes, too many eyes, watched from the crevices. Hungry. Calculating. Some were hollow, already dead despite the bodies they were attached to. Others burned with a feral desperation, the kind that made even a seasoned warrior hesitate. Don''t look. The warning echoed in her mind, but her senses betrayed her. A flicker of movement¡ªa skeletal figure slumped against a wall, needle still embedded in their vein. Flies swarmed over sunken flesh, feasting on what little remained. Further down, two addicts twitched in their own private hell, limbs tangled in a grotesque mockery of intimacy. Mei''s stomach turned. She had walked through the aftermath of Honkai eruptions, through cities reduced to ash. But this? This was worse. Because this was humanity doing this to itself. And the worst part? The children playing in the courtyard didn''t even seem to notice. To them, this was normal. The boundary between light and shadow here wasn''t just a line¡ªit was a chasm. A divide between those who still had a chance and those who had long since surrendered. Mei exhaled slowly, forcing herself to focus. Her gaze drifted toward the small, crumbling chapel at the far end of the courtyard. Its wooden door hung crookedly, one hinge missing entirely. The structure looked like a strong breeze could topple it. And yet, it stood. Just like the woman now walking toward it. Aponia. She moved with an eerie grace, her steps silent against the cracked pavement. A rusted metal bucket swung lightly in her grip, water sloshing over its edges. Then, as if sensing Mei''s presence, she stopped. Turned. Their eyes met. And for the first time in years, Raiden Mei felt true, instinctive fear. "!!!" Her body moved before her mind could catch up¡ªmuscles tensing, feet shifting into a defensive stance. Her fingers twitched toward the weapon at her hip, the blade that had replaced Ushiwakamaru¡ªa weapon born from the Thunder Herrscher''s fading authority, humming with lethal energy. But she didn''t draw it. Couldn''t. Because those eyes¡ª Empty. Unfocused. Just like his. A cold sweat broke across her skin. Several seconds passed in silence before Mei realized¡ª Aponia was now standing right in front of her. Less than three meters away. When had she gotten so close? Why hadn''t Mei noticed? Her pulse hammered in her throat. Was this some kind of ability? A trick of perception? Or¡ª Was it just her own mind betraying her? The psychological scars left by Lingke ran deeper than she''d realized. "Hah¡­" She forced a slow breath, steadying herself. This wasn''t Lingke. This was Aponia. The same woman from the Elysian Realm, though stripped of her butterfly wings, her divine aura muted. Yet those eyes¡­ "Is this what happens to those who see too much of the future?" Mei wondered. But no¡ªLingke''s eyes had been sharp, aware. These were different. These were the eyes of someone who had stopped looking. Or worse¡ªsomeone who had seen something they couldn''t unsee. "Visitor?" Aponia''s voice was soft, almost melodic. Mei blinked, realizing she hadn''t responded. "Sorry, I¡ª" She cut herself off, suddenly aware of the absence at her side. Pardofelis was gone. Of course¡ªthey''d planned this. The catgirl had slipped away the moment Aponia appeared, circling around to observe from a safer distance. Sure enough, a flicker of movement caught Mei''s eye¡ªa tuft of fur the same color as Pardo''s hair, peeking out from behind a crumbling wall. A cat perched atop her head, tail flicking lazily. Typical. Mei almost smiled. Almost. Because then Aponia spoke again. "If you have business here, you may come inside." She gestured toward the chapel, the rusted bucket still in hand. "Lost traveler, believe¡­" "Our Lord shall guide you on your path forward." The words were pious, serene. But something about them sent a chill down Mei''s spine. It wasn''t just the cadence¡ªit was the certainty behind them. As if Aponia already knew why she was here. As if she''d been waiting. Mei swallowed hard. In the Elysian Realm, Aponia''s "Please" had carried the weight of inevitability. A gentle command wrapped in kindness. But this Aponia? She hadn''t yet become a MANTIS. She shouldn''t have the power to impose Taboos. Right? "Forgive the intrusion." Mei stepped forward, following her inside. --- S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, Elsewhere¡­ The last echoes of Eden''s concert had long since faded. Nagazora''s night market was alive with energy, stalls glowing under strings of paper lanterns. The scent of sizzling meat and sweet sauces filled the air, mingling with the chatter of the crowd. Lingke moved through it all with lazy amusement, arms laden with snacks. Grilled skewers, still dripping with glaze. Plump takoyaki, steam rising from their crispy shells. A paper boat of sushi, balanced precariously atop the rest. "Ah, the perks of a superhuman metabolism," he mused, popping a skewer into his mouth. "Eat all you want, never gain weight." He smirked, licking a drop of sauce from his thumb. Then¡ª His steps slowed. A flicker of awareness at the edge of his senses. His grin widened. "Tch. And here I was hoping for a break." "Guess ''Act Two'' is starting early" Chapter 50 - 049 : Look How Scared She Is… The chapel stood in solemn silence, its once-grand arches now weathered by time, the stained-glass windows fractured like forgotten dreams. Dust motes drifted lazily through shafts of pale light, settling on the cracked pews like a shroud over the past. Raiden Mei stepped inside, her boots whispering against the worn stone floor. The air smelled of old wood, damp earth, and something faintly medicinal¡ªherbs, perhaps, or the lingering scent of candle wax long since melted away. She took a seat on one of the benches, her posture rigid, fingers curling against her thighs as if bracing for an unseen storm. Aponia¡ªthe nun who presided over this place¡ªapproached with quiet grace, her movements unhurried, deliberate. In her hands, she carried a simple ceramic cup, steam curling faintly from its surface. "Water," she said, her voice as soft as the rustle of parchment. "Boiled." A small, practical offering. The orphanage had little to spare. Mei accepted it with a nod, her fingers brushing against Aponia''s for the briefest moment. The warmth seeped into her skin, but when she raised the cup to her lips, the liquid might as well have been air. Her sense of taste was gone. Or perhaps she had simply forgotten how to feel anything at all. At the chapel''s entrance, a chorus of hushed giggles and shuffling feet betrayed the presence of small onlookers. Children¡ªno more than five or six¡ªpeeked around the doorframe, their wide eyes alight with curiosity. Mei was an anomaly here. Her clothes¡ªdark, sleek, lined with circuitry¡ªwere foreign in this world of rough-spun fabric and hand-me-downs. The way she carried herself, the way her gaze cut through the dimness like a blade, marked her as something other. Difference was a magnet for attention. "Layla, Anqi," Aponia called, her tone gentle but firm, "take the others outside. Our guest needs peace." A collective groan rose from the doorway, but the children obeyed, their footsteps pattering away like scattered raindrops. "Yes, Mama Aponia!" Mei watched them go, her chest tightening. Two days ago¡ªor what felt like two days, though time had become an unreliable thing¡ªLingke had rewritten history. He had erased her era. And in its place, he had resurrected the Previous Era¡ªa world that should have been lost to dust and memory. In that moment of upheaval, Mei¡ªalong with everyone else dragged into this rewritten past¡ªhad glimpsed nonexistent memories. Fragments of a life that never was, a future that had been stolen from them. And in those fragments, she had seen Lingke''s true design. "You want to save your era?" his ghost seemed to whisper in her ear. "That ''nothingness'' you call the Current Era?" "Then first, you must destroy the ''second chance'' of the Previous Era." "After all¡­ if the Previous Era still stands, where does yours belong?" It was psychological warfare of the cruelest kind. He had taken their convictions¡ªtheir desperate hope to protect what remained¡ªand turned them into hypocrisy. He had made salvation and destruction two sides of the same coin. And worst of all¡ªhe had been right. Once, Lingke had been kind. Once, he had been the sort of person who would reach out a hand without hesitation, who would smile even when the world was crumbling around him. But now? Now, he had shown them all what happened when kindness was twisted into vengeance. He had become a demon clad in the guise of a savior. And he had made sure Mei and the others would carry the weight of that truth with every step they took in this reborn world. The children''s laughter echoed faintly from outside. They were alive. They had a future. And Mei¡ª Mei had no answer. No solution. No way to reconcile the war inside her heart. She doubted anyone else who had been dragged into this era¡ªsave for Otto, that ever-unreadable schemer¡ªcould answer it either. A long silence stretched between her and Aponia before Mei finally spoke. "Aponia¡­ ma''am." The nun tilted her head slightly. "Just Aponia is fine." Mei hesitated. They were strangers, technically. But Aponia had already dismantled that distance with effortless grace. "...Alright. Aponia." Formalities had never been Mei''s concern. She considered introducing herself, then dismissed the thought. Unlike with Pardofelis, names felt meaningless here. Instead, she cut straight to the heart of the matter. "Can you¡­ tell where I come from?" A test. Aponia''s gaze remained steady, her expression unreadable. "A lost soul," she murmured, "severed from her homeland. For now¡­ wandering this world alone." sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her words were calm, almost detached. Yet beneath them, Mei sensed something else¡ª Pity. She bristled at it but forced herself to remain still. One thing was certain, though. "So even now, you can foresee the future." For the first time in days, a spark of hope flickered in Mei''s chest. She leaned forward slightly, her voice urgent. "Then, Aponia¡­" "Tell me¡ªhow do I reclaim that lost ''homeland''?" Aponia did not answer immediately. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, pressing against Mei''s ribs like a vise. Finally, the nun spoke. "The path you already know¡­ is the only path." "But¡ª!" Mei nearly shot to her feet. She remembered¡ª In those nonexistent memories, Lingke had done the impossible. He had created a neighboring world, a space where the Previous Era could exist without relying on Herrscher power. He had proven that two eras could coexist. That even a destroyed world could be pulled back from nothingness. He¡ª "...Right." Mei laughed then, the sound brittle, humorless. "He''s the last person who would ever help me." When she spoke the words aloud, they settled like stones in her stomach. Her shoulders slumped, the weight of regret pressing down on her until she could barely breathe. There was no helping it. In those memories-that-never-were, everything had been perfect. Lingke had always accomplished the impossible with terrifying ease. He had fulfilled desires like a god granting wishes¡ªeffortless, boundless, mocking. He could have been their salvation. But now? Now, thinking of it was useless. Nails could be pulled from wood. But the holes they left behind would never truly vanish. Just then¡ª "Lost traveler." Aponia''s voice pulled her back. The nun''s eyes held something unreadable. "The answers you seek are not with me." "The guidance our Lord can offer you ends here." "Will you remain stagnant where you stand?" "Or seize another''s path?" "These are your only two choices." ****** Raiden Mei left. Aponia did not invite her to stay the night, and Mei had no intention of lingering. She had another possibility to find. Her footsteps echoed through the empty chapel as she walked away, her back straight, her resolve unbroken¡ª Even if her heart was anything but. "Strange!" From her hiding spot beside the chapel wall, Pardofelis frowned, her tail twitching in agitation. She had watched the entire exchange between Mei and Aponia. And something about it felt¡­ off. "Why''s Nia-jie speaking like some kind of cryptic prophet today?" [TL/N: I don''t understand why in this fanfic pardo called aponia with Jie honorific] Pardofelis had eavesdropped on Aponia''s counseling sessions before. Though, admittedly, she''d been caught more times than she cared to admit. Normally, Aponia was direct. Clear. If anything, she preferred giving answers rather than riddles. This sudden shift¡ª It didn''t make sense. Pardofelis chewed her lip, frustration mounting. Then¡ª Giggle. A sound. Light. Playful. And utterly wrong coming from inside the chapel. Pardofelis froze. Every instinct screamed at her to run. But curiosity¡ªdamnable, insatiable curiosity¡ªhad always been her weakness. Slowly, against her better judgment, she peeked through the window¡ª And her blood turned to ice. Colorful fish¡ªimpossible, luminous¡ªswam through the air, their scales shimmering like fractured rainbows. And at the center of it all, Aponia sat in her usual praying pose¡ª Except her smile was too wide. Too sharp. Wrong. "!!!" Pardofelis ducked down, heart hammering. That wasn''t Nia-jie. Then who¡ª? And where was the real Aponia? "Ah, doesn''t curiosity kill the cat?~" A singsong voice, dripping with amusement. "Liiittle Paaaardoo~" Pardofelis'' breath hitched. Her body locked up, every muscle coiled tight with primal fear. Then¡ª A shadow fell over her. She didn''t dare look up. But she could feel him. The presence looming above her, silent, inevitable. The scent of freshly cooked food¡ªmeat, spices, warmth¡ªfilled the air, so painfully normal it made the moment even more surreal. Step. Step. Step. He crouched in front of her. A hand rose. A finger pressed to his lips. "Shhh." Pure instinct had Pardofelis clamping both hands over her mouth, her entire body trembling. She didn''t dare make a sound. Didn''t dare breathe. The young man smiled. "Good girl~" His voice was warm. Affectionate, even. Like praising a pet. Then¡ª His hand settled on her head. And in that moment, Pardofelis understood something fundamental. There were creatures in this world that stood at the very top of the food chain. Predators with no natural enemies. No equals. And as his fingers gently stroked her hair, Pardofelis realized¡ª She was looking into the eyes of an apex predator. Her body locked up. Terror flooded her veins, sharp and paralyzing. She couldn''t move. Couldn''t speak. Could only sit there, trembling, as her vision blurred with unshed tears. Her lips parted in a silent plea. But no sound came out. And the young man¡ª He only smiled wider. Amused. Delighted. At how scared she was. [TL/N: Poor pardo ????. anyway please give some recommendations fanfic. either hoyoverse, or anime-mix like akikan fanfic] Chapter 51 - 050 : Ordinary Person The air in the basement was thick with the scent of aged stone and candle wax, the flickering light casting long, wavering shadows against the cold walls. Before his transmigration, Ling Ke had never understood why churches always seemed to have these underground chambers. His first impression had been one of hypocrisy¡ªgilded surfaces hiding filth beneath. It was the kind of setting perfect for ironic storytelling, where sacred facades concealed darker truths. But now, as the Herrscher of Dominance, with a mind sharpened by exponential learning, he knew better. Church basements were crypts. Places of rest for the faithful, repositories of holy relics, rows of coffins standing silent vigil. And today¡­ this one served as his stage. "Ms. Aponia, you may leave now." The black-haired youth stood by the basement''s only exit, his posture relaxed, his voice smooth and unhurried. His lips curled into a faint, polite smile as he gestured toward the door. "Thank you for your cooperation." His tone carried the practiced ease of a performer acknowledging an audience. "And for providing the perfect setting for our¡­ performance." Aponia¡ªtall, draped in the somber robes of a nun, her shoulder-length hair tied into a single delicate braid¡ªregarded him with an unreadable expression. Her violet eyes, usually so serene, now held a quiet intensity. "It seems I never had the right to refuse," she said, her voice as steady as the stone around them. The youth chuckled, the sound light, almost amused. "Our funding for the sanatorium will arrive shortly," he assured her, as if discussing nothing more consequential than the weather. "The children won''t even realize their ''mother'' was briefly absent." A pause. Then, with deliberate casualness¡ª "And we¡­ won''t disturb you here again." Not that they needed to. This chapter had reached its conclusion. The lead actress would soon depart for the next stage. With that, he raised a hand, the air before him warping as a portal to the Theater of Dominance shimmered into existence. He took a step toward it¡ª "Tell me." Aponia''s voice halted him. "Oh savior¡­ oh destroyer." Her words were slow, deliberate. "You who embody contradiction¡ªwhen will your vengeance end?" The youth stilled. For a long moment, the only sound was the distant drip of water against stone. Then¡ª "You misunderstand, Ms. Aponia." He turned his head just enough to meet her gaze, his lips quirking in a half-smile that didn''t reach his eyes. "My vengeance concluded long ago." His voice was soft, almost wistful. "It remains buried with the old era''s complete annihilation." A beat. "As for now¡­" He stepped backward into the portal, the darkness swallowing him whole as the rift sealed shut behind him. His final words lingered in the air like an afterthought. "Now, the reborn me simply plays the villain¡ªforcing this world to satisfy my curiosity and thirst for knowledge." A pause. "Ms. Aponia¡­" "If faced with a choice where protecting someone inevitably harms others¡­" "What would you do?" He didn''t wait for an answer. The portal closed with a whisper, leaving Aponia alone in the dim silence. Finally, she exhaled, a slow, weary sound. Her eyes lifted toward the ceiling, as if seeking guidance from an absent god. "Indeed¡­ what should one do?" A faint, humorless smile touched her lips. "Perhaps if I were a ''villain'' too¡­" "I wouldn''t be troubled by such dilemmas." --- Meanwhile¡­ The alley beside the crumbling church was a stark contrast to the solemnity of the basement¡ªalive with the sounds of distant chatter, the scent of dust and dried fish thick in the air. "Yummy~ Soooo good!"* A grimy girl crouched on the ground, her cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk''s as she devoured the dried fish in her hands. There was something inexplicably fated about the taste¡ªas if she had been meant to eat this all along. Between enthusiastic bites, she shot a thumbs-up toward the black-haired youth squatting beside her. He had provided this feast. After his earlier demeanor¡ªcold, commanding, enough to scare off even her stray cat companion, Can¡ªshe had expected something far worse than free food. "You''re actually eating it?" "Gulp" Pardofelis froze mid-chew. Her wide, golden eyes flicked up at him, suddenly uncertain. Wait¡­ was this a trick? Her inner miser warred with survival instinct. But the scent was too tempting. Defiantly, she swallowed the mouthful in one go, then stared at him blankly, playing dumb. "Haha, just messing with you." The youth laughed, ruffling her hair before producing another bag of fish. "Here''s more¡­" "All yours if you want." "Ah¡­ oh, heh¡­" Pardofelis forced a laugh, her shoulders relaxing. "Thanks, boss~" Whew¡­ That had been close. This boss had a mean streak¡ªbad for her heart in the long run, she decided. But free food with no strings attached? Worth it. "Free stuff¡­" "Hehehe" Her carefree grin returned, her earlier tension melting away. Despite his initial aura¡ªthat of an apex predator, something that had sent every instinct in her body screaming to run¡ªshe had sensed no real malice. Just¡­ unexpected kindness. So she had reciprocated. And after hearing his explanations¡ªabout Aponia being fine, about this being some kind of permitted "acting gig" which were clearly excuses, but whatever¡ªshe had decided to trust him. He had assured her safety. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And more importantly¡ª Free. Food. Gradually, she relaxed, her earlier wariness fading as she resumed chewing. Meanwhile¡­ Ling Ke had spent the last few nights wandering the neon-lit streets of Nagazora''s night markets, sampling street food and observing the ebb and flow of human life. Now, he had crossed continents to this chaotic district in the Middle East¡ªthe slums of Twilight, where survival was a daily struggle. As his true self, he no longer bothered with menial tasks like "stage-setting." He was the director, the playwright, and the audience. The preparations in the basement? Handled by Domination Puppet. At most, he might "borrow" some fitting background music. His sudden appearance here stemmed from¡­ Simple amusement. Or, more accurately¡ªfascination. Pardofelis. Future Flame-Chaser, 13th Seat, Pardofelis of Reverie. In the carefully arranged scenario he had crafted¡ªa mirrored version of past events¡ªshe had made a different choice than Raiden Mei. Faced with a stranger, she still didn''t trust. But at least she responded. And that had intrigued him. Would she only react this way to specific people? Or¡­ even to his current self? So he had come. Testing the waters with kindness. How ironic. Now transcendent, no longer weak, having once ascended to godhood¡ª Yet this simple experiment left him trembling. The kindness he offered was trivial¡ªjust street snacks. The conclusion? "People truly are different." Ling Ke sighed inwardly. He had received a response. Watching the grimy girl beside him, his mood¡ªalready improved by Eden''s musical performance in Nagazora¡ªbrightened further. Such was life. One could crumble under the weight of accumulated despairs. Or find light in scattered hopes. Now reborn, Ling Ke had stepped into the sunlight. Just as Mei and Bronya had before him. Yet¡­ "Night suits me better." "Quiet. Undisturbed. Easier to move unseen." Having satisfied this minor curiosity, Ling Ke stood, shielding his eyes from the glare of the midday sun. "Tch¡­ still not used to this." Sunlight felt too harsh. No longer necessary. Now then¡­ "Goodbye, little Pardo." He glanced down at the still-squatting girl, her golden eyes blinking up at him. Work calls. As he turned to leave¡ª "Oh, one more thing." He raised a finger, his voice dropping into something quieter, almost wistful. "Next time something like this happens¡­ run far away." His words carried the weight of hard-earned experience. "You''re just an ordinary person. You owe nobody anything." "Don''t throw yourself into the fire." In this moment, he seemed to glimpse her future. A broken cat-paw badge lying in lunar dust. A marker of where a simple soul¡ªone who only wished to eat her fill each day¡ªhad once existed. Briefly, he wavered. "Just an ordinary person¡­ why risk your life like this? Really¡­" Ling Ke muttered to himself. It sounded like self-mockery, yet carried the weight of a sigh. After a beat, he reached out, ruffling Pardofelis'' hair one last time. He had to admit¡ªhe''d grown fond of the feeling. Somewhat¡­ Enjoyable.