Soon, Bronya successfully hacked into the android's database.
Just as she was about to retrieve the information she needed, the screen of her Project Bunny flickered.
Immediately after, a man wearing an iron mask appeared.
"Little girl, I admit your hacking skills are impressive, but compared to me, you're still far behind. However, I've already deleted all the information about that girl. After all, I despise intruders like you.
So, goodbye, little thieves. You won't get the information you want."
"Damn it, the price he demanded is something we can't possibly accept."
Theresa stomped her feet in frustration, though it was mostly an act for the others.
Hearing this, Bronya fell into deep thought.
At that moment, a communication from Anti-Entropy came through.
"Bronya, my daughter, it's not too late to return. You're being hunted by Schicksal, right? Schicksal is always one step ahead of us.
Even our experiment at the Eye of the Deep has been discovered. Why not come to my side? Let's use that Herrscher core to surpass Schicksal, how about it?"
"Don't even think about it, Cocolia. They may be traitors to Schicksal, but you're no less a traitor to Anti-Entropy."
Einstein chimed in at this point.
However, she was more concerned about Schicksal discovering their experimental base at the Eye of the Deep.
"Heh, I've said my piece. Bronya, if you still want to save Seele, then come to me."
"Seele..."
Hearing Cocolia mention that name, Bronya was momentarily dazed.
She was torn, unsure whether to continue searching for Kiana or to go after Seele.
Seemingly sensing Bronya's dilemma, Mei stepped forward and patted her shoulder.
"Bronya, that girl Seele must be as important to you as Kiana is to me, right? Then go with Principal Theresa and the others. I'll be fine on my own. Don't forget, I have the power of a Herrscher within me."
"Mei-senpai..."
Hearing Mei's words, Bronya was so moved she didn't know what to say.
Theresa, hearing this, didn't object, as she knew this was a necessary step.
"Then, Mei-senpai, Bronya will hurry and come back to help you."
"Mm, I believe in you. Do your best and bring back the person who's so important to you."
Even though her own situation wasn't ideal, Mei still cheered others on.
With that, the group split into two. Theresa and the Anti-Entropy team took Bronya to meet Cocolia, while Mei continued searching for Kiana alone in Arc City.
Before leaving, Bronya tried to recover the data they needed.
But in the end, in the realm of hacking, Bronya was once again defeated by Gray Serpent.
All she managed to obtain was a vague piece of information: there was a white ranger in Arc City, roaming the darkness and eliminating all evil.
Hearing this, even without a specific location, Mei felt a sense of relief.
At least it proved that Kiana hadn't been captured by Schicksal. Now, she just had to find Kiana before Schicksal did.
...
As Kiana rushed from one Honkai energy-infested area to another, she was gradually being consumed by the Honkai energy.
"Everyone, run!"
Using the last of her strength, Kiana once again dealt with a group of Honkai beasts and urged the injured civilians to retreat.
Hearing Kiana's words, the injured civilians helped each other and left the area.
After they were gone, Kiana's legs gave out, and she collapsed to her knees.
"Ha, ha, ha..."
As her breathing grew ragged, Kiana didn't know how much longer she could hold on.
A voice kept echoing in her mind, urging her to give up, to surrender her body.
And these endless Honkai beasts were born because of her.
Suddenly, Kiana felt a sharp pain, and her vision went black as she fell to the ground.
When she woke up, she found herself in a strange space.
Above her, a golden eye stared down at her.
"Kiana, a clone, a person who doesn't truly exist. You live under someone else's name, and everything you have belongs to someone else. Don't you resent it?"
The voice echoed through the space, its words laced with temptation.
Hearing such harsh truths, Kiana wanted to cover her ears and block it out.
But somehow, the voice penetrated everything, forcing her to understand its meaning.
"No, that's not true! I'm not a clone! It's all lies! You're lying to me!"
"Heh, lying? I'm just like you, a product of Schicksal's human experiments. But during the Second Honkai War, I lost. All because of that woman, Cecilia!
She took advantage of my mercy, holding me as we both perished. She deserved to die a thousand times over!"
"What does that have to do with me? You're the Herrscher! You're the one! I'm Kiana Kaslana, the daughter of my parents! You're the one parasitizing in my body!"
"Heh, still running away? Doesn't your memory tell you the truth? You're just a vessel created by Otto to revive me."
Seeing Kiana's wavering resolve, Sirin intensified her temptation.
Every word was meant to pierce Kiana's heart.
"Think about the Herrscher of Thunder, your Aunt Theresa. Their kindness is all based on your appearance, and that appearance doesn't belong to you. It belongs to the real Kiana. You're just a thief, stealing someone else's life."
"Think about their betrayal. Even your class monitor betrayed you, choosing to knock you out and hand you over to that man."
"No, that's not true! Everyone..."
By now, Kiana was gradually being convinced. Seeing this, Sirin prepared to forcefully take over her body once more.
But at that moment, a shower of red feathers fell from the sky.
"Oh, helping her resist my temptation, are you? Heh, it doesn't matter. I have all the time in the world. I'll make you watch as I slowly consume her."
Seeing the feathers, Sirin immediately knew who was behind it, but she didn't care.
With Kiana in this state, it wouldn't be long before she completely took over.
As darkness enveloped her, Kiana woke up in a daze.
"Did I pass out from exhaustion and have a nightmare?"
Holding her head, Kiana slowly stood up and muttered to herself.