At that time, people could not completely eliminate the Honkai Beasts. The weapons they prided themselves on could not inflict fatal damage. Helpless, they could only incapacitate the beasts, then capture them and imprison them in the catacombs beneath Schicksal's European headquarters.
However, humanity's victory did not last long. The Honkai soon changed its form and began to spread as a disease. Under the scourge of the Black Death, Europe lost twenty million people in just six years.
The scene shifted from fighting Honkai Beasts to combating the plague. Schicksal personnel in black robes and crow masks carried the sick to quarantine zones, where the afflicted could only linger, awaiting the arrival of death.
Watching these historical scenes unfold before him, Ming Yu's mood grew heavy. It was precisely because of this shift in the Honkai's form that Schicksal researchers realized the Honkai possessed a certain level of intelligence, and that a vague Honkai Will existed within it.
Kiana walked through this data space, marveling at the lifelike scenes, lamenting the tragedy of history while also being amazed by the incredible technology. Suddenly, she noticed a cross erected in the center of the square. The golden cross shimmered in the sunlight, exuding a sacred aura that was completely out of place with the dark historical setting.
*This cross looks so familiar, like the one Theresa often carries. Why is it here?* Kiana wondered. She walked up and placed a hand on the cross to feel it. It had the texture of metal, yet it wasn't cold, but rather radiated a sense of warmth.
Before Kiana could wonder why she could touch this cross, an electronic voice suddenly sounded: "Login user name: Kiana Kaslana. Confirming login user is a member of the Kaslana family. Commencing playback of hidden record—"
A powerful suction force abruptly erupted from the cross. Caught off guard, Kiana lost her balance and was pulled into it.
"Kiana!" Ming Yu, who had been expecting this, quickly grabbed Kiana's other hand. Of course, he wasn't trying to pull her back, but simply to hitch a ride. Ming Yu didn't think he could resist the suction force, so he just went with the flow. The shout was naturally to alert Bronya, so the genius girl could react faster and hack into this hidden space sooner.
Without any resistance, the two were sucked into the hidden space within the cross. Bronya, left outside, heard Ming Yu's shout. After noticing their disappearance, she grew suspicious of the abruptly appearing cross and began her investigation.
As soon as he entered the space within the cross, Ming Yu found himself in mid-air. Cursing Otto's sick sense of humor internally, his body reacted without a moment's hesitation. He spotted a nearby rooftop, twisted his body in the air, and used the height of the roof to cushion his fall. With his current reaction speed, accomplishing this was a simple matter. After his skills had advanced, Ming Yu found that his reaction speed and body control had improved by a large margin, vaguely reaching a B-rank level. As long as his physical abilities and combat experience caught up, reaching B-rank was a sure thing.
When Kiana found herself high in the air, she panicked, screamed, and shut her eyes. A moment later, realizing she was no longer falling, she opened her eyes, wondering why she wasn't hurt.
Upon opening her eyes, Kiana was instantly stunned. Before her was a beautiful girl in a nun's habit. Her long white hair was tied into a single braid that hung over her chest. The girl's face was smudged with dust, but it couldn't hide her natural beauty, instead evoking a sense of pity. Her full face still showed traces of a previously comfortable life. Her blue eyes were full of concern and gentleness, like a cloudless morning sky, calming one's heart just by looking at them. Her black nun's habit was slightly torn, revealing her fair arms. Though covered in dust, the exquisite workmanship and fine material of the garment were still evident, indicating the girl's extraordinary status.
As the girl softly asked, "Are you alright, my dear young lady?" Kiana felt her heart melt, leaving only awe. *What a beautiful big sister.*
After a moment's daze, Kiana realized she was being held by someone. Her face flushed, and she left the girl's embrace. Once she was steady on her feet, she replied, "Ah~ I'm fine. Thank you for saving me just now."
The girl before her smiled and said, "It's good that you're alright. I was quite startled when I saw you falling from the sky, but I'm glad you're okay."
Seeing the girl's smile, Kiana was once again captivated. She stared blankly at the girl, awkwardly scratching her head. Just as Kiana was spacing out, she suddenly felt someone pat her shoulder, and another voice sounded by her ear, "Kiana, are you okay?"
Turning her head, Kiana saw Ming Yu's half-smiling face. Although his words were concerned, his eyes were filled with amusement. Kiana angrily turned her head away and said huffily, "Of course this young lady is fine."
The girl in the nun's habit looked at the suddenly appearing Ming Yu. Though surprised by their strange attire, she didn't show it. She smiled faintly and said, "You two must be companions. You seem to get along really well."
Ming Yu also nodded with a smile. Looking at the girl before him, he was also shocked. As expected of Kallen, the woman Otto had obsessed over for five hundred years. Not only was she stunningly beautiful, but even in such a predicament, she still maintained an air of calm composure, her gentle temperament not diminished in the slightest.
The sound of footsteps approached from a distance. A group of people in black clothes and crow masks could be seen rushing over.
Noticing their arrival, Kallen's face tensed, revealing a hint of caution. She said to the two, "The people here to pick me up have arrived. You should leave quickly." Her tone was nonchalant, as if she were a noble lady who had snuck out for fun and was being met by servants to take her home, advising her newfound companions to leave.
As they spoke, the men in black had arrived. The leader stopped a few steps before the three of them. A weathered and stern voice came from behind the crow mask: "Miss Kallen, why did you run away?"
Kallen's face showed no panic. She explained unhurriedly, "Grandpa Arthur, I wasn't trying to run away. I just saw this lovely young lady fall from the sky and ran over to save her."
Before the leader could respond, one of the men behind him said agitatedly, "Nonsense! What credibility do you have left, you who have betrayed the organization! Don't you forget, it was you who stole the organization's Crystals six months ago."
Perhaps worried about his companion revealing information in front of outsiders, or perhaps dissatisfied with their accusation against Kallen, Arthur waved his hand to stop his companion's speech. In a slightly gentler tone, he said, "Miss Kallen, if you are willing to repent, I can still plead with the family head on your behalf. With your years of meritorious service, the Overseer will agree to pardon you."