"It's gotten dark. Has the destruction of this World Bubble been brought forward?"
"I don't think so."
On the white high tower, two cadres of the World Serpent organization gazed at the distant Salt Snow Holy City from above.
The darkness that enveloped the entire World Bubble was like a cage, instantly enclosing the whole world.
And along with the darkness came a sinister laugh, casting an ominous shadow over the future of this World Bubble.
"Hare, what do you think happened?"
"Raven, do I look like I know?" Hare chuckled. "If I knew what happened, I think we would have already found the Herrscher of Sentience's location, instead of waiting here for our esteemed Sage to lend a hand."
That's right. Three people left Earth, but only two entered this World Bubble.
The Herrscher of Sentience had vanished to who-knows-where, and Raven and Hare could only guess that she was trapped in the Iron Sand Nation for some unknown reason.
This was also why the two of them had yet to make a move against this Sage of the High Tower.
The Iron Sand Nation and Salt Snow Holy City were two World Bubbles of equal size, but completely different.
A very fragile balance was maintained between these two closely connected worlds, which could be destroyed at any moment.
The appearance of the Sage of the High Tower had maintained this fragile balance, buying more time for this World Bubble.
Similarly, due to the Sage of the High Tower's special status, she held some special privileges in these two World Bubbles; if they wanted to get someone out of the Iron Sand Nation, securing her help was naturally the best way.
But this Sage of the High Tower, influenced by the Stigma Project in some way, was acting like a selfless saint.
She held her bargaining chips tightly, demanding that Hare and Raven join her in finding a way to save this world.
How annoying.
"Sigh, to think the two of us would be stumped by such a small problem." Wiping her gun, the gray-haired, red-eyed mercenary miss felt her body was getting a little rusty, to be tripped up by an issue like this.
Back in the Real World, she was a ruthless executioner who killed without batting an eye. No target that fell into her hands ever had a good end.
—Except for that Inner World Protagonist.
Hare: "There's nothing we can do. We are living human beings, after all, not like The Sovereign who lived only for the Stigma Project."
Looking up at the starry sky, Hare seemed to see the calm expression on that man's face at the very end.
That man was supposed to have a plain life of his own, but everything was changed by the Honkai.
Fortunately, their Sovereign had already gotten the ending he wanted, and they, his subordinates, were on the path to pursuing a new life.
Of course, to pursue their new lives, they first needed to survive the pursuit of that man.
"Raven, do you think this could be him..." Just as a worried Hare was about to brainstorm with her companion, a rapid sound of something cutting through the air came from below the tower.
It was Shigure Kira.
The over-the-hill idol star rushed into their view and questioned, "That man, is he your companion?"
"..."
A sense of foreboding crept into their hearts.
"The 'that man' you're talking about couldn't be..." Raven described Brian's appearance.
"That's right! What is your relationship with him!?" Shigure Kira's guard was at its peak.
Seventy-thirty odds.
A seventy percent chance they weren't related, since these two were remnants of World Serpent, and their Sovereign was already dead; a thirty percent chance they were this man's lovers, and he was a despicable, shameless man.
Hare: "If I said we came to Salt Snow Holy City precisely to escape his pursuit, would you believe me?"
"..." Shigure Kira fell silent, but the guard on her face had unconsciously relaxed a lot.
The worst-case scenario had not occurred. Her gamble had paid off as it should.
The tense atmosphere dissipated, and a sense of shared hardship, of being in the same boat, began to grow from nothing.
"Who is he? Why is he after you?" Shigure Kira asked.
The guy who had designs on Vita felt to her like a demon king capable of destroying the world, even more terrifying than Sirin with her six Herrscher Cores during the Second Honkai Eruption.
If Sirin was a 6, then this guy was a 666. They weren't on the same level at all.
"If it's him, then it's not surprising he could do something like this." Facing death's door, Raven wasn't particularly worried about her own safety.
She explained: "Although his name isn't widely known yet, I think that as a former Schicksal Valkyrie, you've probably heard a little about him."
"..." Shigure Kira had a bad feeling.
"That guy is the partner of the Herrscher of the End, Kiana Kaslana. He is a god of Earth with power equal to the Herrscher of the End." Raven sighed. "And the reason that guy is chasing us, besides having lecherous designs on us, is probably because his master is missing."
The Valkyrie, realizing Brian's true identity, sucked in a cold breath and subconsciously exclaimed, "This guy actually has a master? Is his master a decent person?"
When facing Brian, besides feeling like she was facing a prehistoric beast, Shigure Kira also felt something that made her whole body hot, something that was coveting her body.
Combining the rumors about that guy with his designs on Vita... Shigure Kira had to suspect that this guy's master was also of the not-so-decent variety.
After all...
In the period before Cecilia got married, she, a dream-girl, had crammed an incredible amount of forbidden knowledge into her head!
In terms of theoretical knowledge, she could school everyone in Salt Snow Holy City!
Hare: "Not only does he have a master, he has two of them."
"But just as you said..." The snow-haired woman crossed her arms, a look of utter helplessness on her exquisite face.
That guy was great in every way, except he was too fond of beautiful girls like them, and he liked to use despicable means to violate their will.
Just like when they first met on the moon, they were on opposing sides, yet the moment they met, a whole new world was opened up to her against her will.
Even after all this time, her body still hadn't recovered, and she occasionally needed a joy bean to alleviate her body's emptiness.
"Why can even a guy like this accomplish the great deed of saving the world?" Having pieced together all the fragments of information, Shigure Kira couldn't help but complain, which brought a helpless smile to Raven and Hare's faces.
Such is the irony of fate. A proper hero who saves the world is less effective than an Inner World Protagonist.
"You'll have to ask the Herrscher of the End about that." Raven waved her hand. "Alright, tell us why you ran into that guy."
"As far as I know, although that guy is extremely lecherous, he hasn't reached the point where he's paralyzed at the sight of a woman."
Shigure Kira began to explain: "I met a friend in Salt Snow Holy City named Vita. Not only does she have a great personality, but her looks and figure are also outstanding. The moment that guy appeared, he had designs on Vita. I happened to be passing by and saved her."
Raven: "..."
Hare: "..."
"Do you know where this friend of yours comes from?"
"I don't."
The two looked at each other, at a loss for words. They looked at Shigure Kira as if she were a silly doe.
Could it be... that this friend of yours is no proper person herself.
That guy was on his way to find his master and decided to play the hero, but you just had to stick your oar in.
Having seen so much of the world's darkness, the two had no intention of revealing this thought, and skillfully moved the conversation to the next topic: "Let's not worry about your friend for now. Since she needs your protection, she won't be of much use to us anyway."
After all, toying with prey is part of the hunt. Dragging innocent people like them into it was no wonderful joke.
"But..."
"Don't worry, that guy doesn't kill randomly. Since your friend is a beautiful girl, she can just apologize to him and she'll be fine."
Instead of worrying about a person of unknown depths, it was better to consider how they were going to get out of this world.
Raven looked up at the pitch-black sky: "This World Bubble has been sealed by that guy's power. I don't think any of us can leave without his permission."
A figure approached. It was the Sage of the High Tower.
"The divine envoys I sent out have all been eliminated by that guy."
With such a huge change happening in the World Bubble, the Sage of the High Tower naturally couldn't ignore it.
But even with control over certain important privileges of this world, her forces were nothing but a flock of clay chickens and pottery dogs before a truly powerful being.
In the feedback from the divine envoys, a black fog had enveloped the world, and then their bodies were disintegrated into the most basic material particles.
This uninvited man was too strong, so strong that even if they all attacked at once, they couldn't possibly defeat him.
"We need to protect Salt Snow Holy City! Everyone, I need your strength!"
Shigure Kira was somewhat moved, Misteln felt pity in her heart, but only Raven drew a line in her mind between herself and Salt Snow Holy City.
It was *their* Salt Snow Holy City, not *her* Salt Snow Holy City.
However, when the nest is overturned, no egg stays intact. To escape the clutches of that Inner World Protagonist, they really did need everyone to work together.
Everyone.
"Sage, our companion is trapped in the Iron Sand Nation. We'll only have a sliver of a chance if we rescue her."
"I refuse." The black-robed Sage refused without hesitation. "Although I am one of the reasons you came to Salt Snow Holy City, if you reunite with your companion, you could just abandon Salt Snow Holy City and fly away."
Everyone must be aware of their own importance, know their own value, and know that they are not the center of the world.
The Sage of the High Tower had learned of her origins from Hare's mouth, and had long been aware of her final fate.
But she knew even better that this woman, Misteln Schariac, didn't necessarily have to retrieve her. To Misteln, one more or one less of her made little difference.
Just as this World Bubble was facing a crisis of destruction, they had the ability to help, but that didn't mean they had to die for this world.
Misteln: "Sage, we are not lying."
"But you are not trustworthy. Your companion is the only thing you truly have to care about." The Sage of the High Tower thought she had these two right where she wanted them.
Only their companion trapped in the Iron Sand Nation was what they truly cared about.
However, Raven and Hare glanced at each other, and both saw helplessness in the other's eyes.
'Let's make one last effort.'
"Sage, our companion trapped in the Iron Sand Nation is not only the key for us to leave here safely, but also the key to saving this World Bubble."
"She is that man's master, and possesses significant power."
Hearing this, the Sage of the High Tower fell silent.
In the face of death and destruction, there is nothing that cannot be sacrificed.
If this World Bubble was ultimately doomed to perish, then no amount of effort would yield results.
If what these two had just said was all true, then the chance to save this World Bubble indeed lay with their companion.
But...
"Let me think about it."
Again, she lacked basic trust in these two, in all outsiders.
The Sage of the High Tower left.
"Let her think it over carefully. We should also think about what we should do."
The three young women also left the high tower.
Having obtained useful information but no way to change the situation, Shigure Kira once again thought of her new friend: "Sorry, my friend is still in danger. She needs my help now. I think I need to leave for a while."
In Shigure Kira's eyes, although Vita possessed a beauty completely different from this city's, she did not have the strength to protect that beauty. So, she would have to take on the role of her guardian.
"Shigure Kira, I don't think you need to worry so much." The calm and decisive mercenary watched from the sidelines. Her third-person perspective and her understanding of that man allowed her to see the situation more clearly.
"As I said before, although we are not very familiar with that man, we know his personality and behavior to some extent."
"Since he has his eyes on your friend, it means there's something more to your friend. You'd better not act rashly."
"But I've already confirmed it!" The Valkyrie insisted. "Vita is just an ordinary girl, from a ruined world we call the 'Star of Withering'. Now she has lost everything and needs someone to protect her!"
The light of justice shone upon the Valkyrie's head.
But Hare and Raven only felt that this person had been fed a love potion by that woman named Vita, and was so enchanted she couldn't tell north from south.
Who would be willing to risk their life to protect someone they've only just met?
Could it be that this former Schicksal Valkyrie's brain was damaged in the Sea of Quanta, and only her age grew, not her experience?
"If that's the case, then do as you please."
Since they were not on the same path to begin with, Hare and Raven had no need to stop Shigure Kira.
But as some of the few remaining grasshoppers tied to the same rope, although Hare and Raven didn't think much of Shigure Kira's idea, they still followed her from a distance.
This distance was good for both offense and defense.
If Shigure Kira got into danger, they could help her out. If they really couldn't help, they could just run.
...
"Vita, I'm back!"
She carefully pushed the door open, then quietly closed it.
Shigure Kira leaned against the thick door and breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that she could finally relax her tense nerves in the enclosed room.
The green-haired, red-eyed girl's eyes rippled with joy. The skillful Vita had already placed the tea and snacks she had made on the table.
"Kira, I think you must be a little hungry. Come and eat something."
"Vita, just taking people's things, won't that..."
"It's fine." With her hands on her hips, Shigure Kira could sense a smug mood from Vita. "I'm very familiar with everyone in Salt Snow Holy City. I'll just apologize to them later."
"Besides, this can be considered a part of emergency preparedness. Only with a full stomach can we better deal with the dangers to come."
Talking with someone who shares your values is just that easy.
"You're so good, Vita." Shigure Kira felt like she had found a kindred spirit.
"Did you find out anything while you were out? I feel like you're in a better mood than before."
"I guess so. I can only say that it's confirmed we probably won't be in any mortal danger." One small cake after another, using tea to swell them up.
Shigure Kira felt as if her stomach was filled with cream puffs, making her whole body feel warm and fuzzy.
No mortal danger, that was good news.
The attacker is an Inner World Protagonist, that was bad news.
And to make matters worse, this man's power was so immense that it was difficult for them to put up any effective resistance. Once caught, they would have their waists pinned and be filled with cream puffs.
No one could escape!
Shigure Kira herself didn't care. She was a thirty-something-year-old auntie anyway. If she got bent over, she'd just consider it a new life experience.
But Vita was still so young, and she had lost her homeland, all alone in this foreign land.
She absolutely must not be harmed!
"Vita, have you thought about what you'll do in the future?"
"I haven't really thought about it. Maybe I'll grow old peacefully here like everyone else in Salt Snow Holy City, or maybe one day I'll be killed by a monster that appears out of nowhere?"
The topic turned to death, but Vita's expression was as carefree as ever.
"I really envy your positive attitude, to still be so optimistic in this situation."
The green-haired girl's smile was bright and heartwarming, yet it held a lingering trace of sadness: "What can I do? I watched all my friends perish along with the whole world in a great explosion, and I was the only one who landed here, all alone."
Shigure Kira: "..."
After facing the ultimate destruction, this kind of non-life-threatening crisis really was like a minnow compared to a whale.
But even so, she couldn't just ignore the current situation.
"Vita, I really don't have any good ideas here. Do you have any better ones?"
Vita pondered for a moment, then made a slightly shy expression: "Why don't we just give in to that evil gentleman, in exchange for everyone's safety?"
"No!" Shigure Kira said righteously.
"I think that's a great idea!" a suddenly appearing male voice chimed in.
Shigure Kira stood up without hesitation: "Vita, run!"
She pushed her good friend in another direction, while she herself charged towards the evil Inner World Protagonist with an expression of resolute determination.
Even if it meant sacrificing her own life, she had to protect Vita's safety!
However...
"Kira, remember to protect yourself, okay?"
The beautiful girl stood in Shigure Kira's path, her back to her good friend.
"Let her go, I'll go with you!"
The blue-haired girl felt dizzy, the world spinning around her. Her vision blurred for a moment, and her consciousness became hazy.
By the time she regained consciousness...
"I'm... outside the door?"
She was outside, Vita was inside.
"Vita, are you okay?"
"I'm... I'm going to... break~~~~"
She could almost imagine the expression of her good friend inside, rolling her eyes back.
So good! Fucking amazing!
----------------------------------