"What kind of power is that?" The Fire Moth's executives, watching the livestream as humans slew the Herrscher, were utterly stunned. It wasn't through some high-tech device, but rather through some unknown force.
"Have you found any information on that person?" one executive asked his subordinate, receiving the unanswered response.
The scene before them was destined to be passed down, though for good or ill, no one could tell.
A pink-haired girl, her eyes like gleaming gems, stared fixedly at the center of the screen. A hero wielding a holy sword roared and swung his blade at the enemy of civilization. "It's like a fairy tale I once heard: the world is plunged into disaster, and a hero wielding a holy sword will step forward. How romantic!"
Unnoticed, the pink-haired girl quietly slipped out of the meeting room. She planned to head immediately to Nagazora City. The hero had sustained considerable damage, and the beautiful girl was needed to care for him. Thinking of this, the pink-haired girl couldn't help but pump her fist. "Elysia, attack!"
What was the hero, the center of attention, doing right now?
Oh, look, everyone! A dead dog is lying over there. The Tarnished gave it a light kick.
"When I recover, I'll at least kick your ass," Xiling said weakly from the ground.
"Your situation is just like the Ultraman transformation time I saw at Kevin's place," the Tarnished shook his head, but still leaned over and carried Xiling on his back.
Xiling retorted, "Ultraman only has three minutes, but I have more than three."
Hero Mode requires a tremendous amount of energy to maintain full concentration. That's why Xiling was lying there; he'd overexerted himself.
Ultraman could finish a monster in three minutes, and at least still function normally after transforming back into his human form. But Xiling couldn't. "Where are you going to hide like this? You know I can't handle that," the Tarnished said as he activated the group chat's time travel function and, with Xiling, joined Lemuen's side.
Lemuen, admiring the view from the tower, saw the two of them walk past and smiled at Xiling, "Are you feeling okay, Xiling?"
"Not really. Very bad. I have no strength left, and I feel like I'm medium-rare. Want a bite?" Xiling held his hand to the Tarnished's lips. "Idiot!"
The light portal reappeared, and this time Kevin emerged. Upon exiting, Kevin saw Xiling, whose body was charred black. Kevin hurried forward, "Xiling, how are you feeling? You're still alive, aren't you?"
"Bah, you're such a jerk! I'm still alive even if you die. By the way, have you finished your business?"
"Done," Kevin nodded. He had already joined the Fire Moths. Although they had asked him if he knew Xiling, Kevin replied that he didn't. Xiling was practically charred and covered in a layer of light pollution. Kevin didn't believe anyone could recognize him.
Regardless, Kevin simply didn't know or recognize him.
When others asked Kevin why he did this, Kevin replied, "I'm young and full of energy, and I want to be a hero. They came to me and gave me this opportunity."
"Leave this guy to me. I'll take care of him for the next few days." Kevin reached out and took Xiling from the Tarnished's back.
"Is everything okay?" the Tarnished asked worriedly. Lemuen said softly, "Don't worry, Tarnished. Those people won't discover the problem so quickly. And even if they do, how they deal with it is another matter."
"Well, even if they do, I can just go home," Xiling reassured him.
"Then I'll be back. Call me if you need anything," the Tarnished said, turning and leaving.
Lemuen smiled at Kevin and Xiling, "Then I'll be leaving too."
"Have a good time. By the way, the things I promised you might not come so soon," Xiling said to Lemuen as she was about to leave.
"Don't make me sound so straightforward," Lemuen said, returning to her own world.
...
"Didn't you see that person? Did you really, really not see that person? Himeko~" Elysia shook Himeko's hand, like a girl next door acting coquettishly to her older sister. Himeko looked at Elysia helplessly. "Elysia, I've already told you, I really didn't see that guy. He disappeared after he killed the Herrscher. If you really want to know, I suggest you go find him."
"Hmm?" Elysia tilted her head.
"That white-haired kid, Kevin, if I remember correctly."
...
"I really want to eat watermelon!" Xiling, lying on the hospital bed, tightly wrapped in bandages, spoke weakly.
Xiling was currently in a hospital, operated by the Fire Moth and government agencies to treat and monitor those who survived the Honkai Impact but were at risk of contracting the disease.
Listening to Xiling's lamentations, Kevin resisted the urge to smash an apple against his head. He spoke in a calm voice, "The doctor said you can't eat these things for now."
"The doctor said I can't eat watermelon? No, are you sure?" Xiling blinked in confusion. Kevin stuffed the peeled apple directly into Xiling's mouth and said unhappily, "Okay, the doctor didn't say anything, but how can I get you watermelon in this season?"
"If you don't have watermelon, peaches will do."
"Just enjoy the peaches here."
"Oh, how strict! I've been bleeding and crying here. I was even under surveillance a few days ago. Look, a whole can of blood was drawn."
Kevin sighed at the needle hole in Xiling's arm. "Didn't you insist on staying here? You said you wanted to see if those people could get something out of your blood? Okay, I'll find a way to get the fruits, okay?" Kevin reluctantly agreed to the offer.
"Love you~" Xiling made a heart shape at Kevin and winked.
"... Vomited."
"You'd better pray you're kind, or I'll make a few more holes in you when I'm healed."
As they were talking, there was a knock on the ward door.
Kevin and Xiling exchanged a puzzled glance. Medical staff usually didn't come at this hour. "Come in!" Xiling called toward the door.
The door opened with a click, and a pink-haired head poked in. Xiling recognized the familiar face immediately, inwardly shouting, "Miss Pink Fairy!"
"No, Xiling! Now isn't the time to dwell on that. The key question is, why is she here? What are those people planning?" Xiling's gaze grew curious at the thought.
Kevin gazed at the beautiful girl entering their ward with suspicion. "What can I do for you?"
Elysia opened the door wide, a bright smile on her face. "My name is Elysia. Nice to meet you, Kevin."
"...You know me?"
"Yes, I have something I want to ask you. Could you please come out with me for a moment?"
"So you're looking for Kevin? Then that's none of my business... is that even possible?" Xiling had long known this day would come.
Kevin, puzzled, followed Elysia out of the ward. Arriving outside the ward, Kevin asked, "What can I do for you?"
Elysia turned, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Kevin, do you really not know that hero?"
"????" Kevin's pupils widened at the words Elysia uttered.
"What are you talking about, hero?" Kevin tried to control his tone, trying not to let anyone hear his nervousness.
He truly couldn't understand why someone would even utter the word "hero."
Just as Kevin was nervous, Elysia clasped her hands together, a brilliant smile spreading across her face. "Don't you think there's a resemblance? In that last moment, he swung his sword; he was just like a true hero from a fairy tale, wasn't he?"
"...I see. I was surprised. Although he is indeed a hero," Kevin thought to himself with a sigh of relief.