Dad once said: "Use magic to defeat magic."
Though it sounds fantastical, it also reveals a very simple truth.
That is, the best way to defeat something is to use a power similar to it.
While [Crimson Knight: Eclipse] certainly didn't reference this saying, it more or less embodies a similar concept.
In truth, this battlesuit is a high-tech relic from the Previous Era developed by Dr. MEI as an uncategorized Divine Key: the Key of Blankness. This dangerous battlesuit lacks a Herrscher Core but can connect to any Core/Gem to unleash its powers. Unlike other Divine Keys, the Key of Blankness is capable of unleashing the true powers of the Herrscher while causing unpredictable consequences to a human user. The Key of Blankness project was suspended after the 10th Herrscher was defeated.
When Schicksal unearthed the Key of Blankness, the organization used its technologies to develop next-gen Valkyrie battlesuits. Schicksal managed to acquire the Gem of Haste from the 2nd Honkai Eruption and connected it to the Key of Blankness. The result is the powerful anti-Herrscher weapon: Vermillion Knight: Eclipse.
Yes.
The best weapon against a Herrscher is a Herrscher itself!
But If Murata Himeko could be resurrected as the Flame Herrscher, what kind of story would that be...
Forget it.
No point dwelling on that.
Since I have this power now, I should use it properly!
[Crimson Knight: Eclipse] logged in!
For the first time, Bai Ming resented the system's kindness in hiding the visual effects of her Valkyrie armor.
While explaining them would be troublesome if they were visible,
How could flames like that be for her eyes only?
In a distant world, there was a teacher who protected her students regardless of her own life.
She wanted more people to know this story!
Damn it!
If only someone could remove this restriction for her!
She would acknowledge them as her benefactor right away!
Arghhhhhhh!
It's all because the Doomsday Beast is cheating that things turned out like this!
It's all its fault!
She absolutely has to teach it a lesson today!
Carrying this grudge, Bai Ming charged towards the Doomsday Beast.
The reawakened Doomsday Beast, seeing Bai Ming charging at it, let out a roar and moved to intercept her.
However, it quickly sensed that something was amiss.
Because the opponent...seemed different somehow?
Bai Ming brandished her legendary baseball bat, glaring resentfully at the Doomsday Beast before her. "I'm gonna beat you down today! Let you see who the real cheater is!"
The Doomsday Beast has no expression.
But if it did, it would undoubtedly be one of astonishment right now.
It could feel it—the person before it was now radiating a scorching aura from head to toe.
It was a sign completely absent just moments before.
It seemed that within these short few minutes, some unimaginable transformation had taken place on her.
This individual is terrifying.
Must not be allowed to live!
The Doomsday Beast swung its massive claw, pressing down towards Bai Ming.
It was a blow combining both power and speed, seemingly incredibly difficult to evade.
Thud!
The Doomsday Beast's giant claw hammered into the surface of the platform. Equipment that had just barely made it back to ground level was sent flying into the air by the impact.
"This!" March 7th stared at the scene. "Himeko, we have to help now, right?"
"No"
Himeko, looking at the objects sent flying into the air, actually seemed relieved.
"I think we can rest now."
"Wh-why?" March 7th asked, puzzled.
"Do you see Bai Ming among those things knocked into the air?"
"Huh?"
Only after Himeko mentioned it did March 7th notice something.
Although the Doomsday Beast's attack looked ferocious and its performance was indeed brutal.
Among the debris sent flying, her figure was truly nowhere to be seen!
Where was she?!
Whether by coincidence or because she somehow sensed March 7th's words, Bai Ming's voice rang out at that moment.
"I'm over here!"
She had seemingly leaped back a great distance in an instant, a movement far beyond the physical limits of what should be possible.
But that wasn't the most shocking part; it was what came next.
Bai Ming, who had just been maintaining distance from the Doomsday Beast, closed the gap in the blink of an eye, charging right up to the beast again.
This was the special property of [Guren Flash]!
The evasion function of standard Valkyrie armor is merely for dodging attacks.
Subsequently, the Valkyrie armor adjusts its usage of Honkai energy based on these movement commands, producing various effects.
For example, [White Comet] generates a [Time Fracture] effect, creating an unimaginable slow field.
But [Guren Flash] is a solid exception.
The moment you dodge backwards, as long as you have the will to fight, you can instantly close in on the enemy again!
Why the [Crimson Knight: Eclipse] was designed this way is lost to history.
But Bai Ming has reason to believe.
This usage method is absolutely connected to Murata Himeko's personality.
Even if black clouds blot out the sky, I will burn the heavens to bring you home.
Even if the long night is endless, I will become the stars, igniting hope; your oath, I will fulfill.
This time, she had the choice to retreat, yet she still chose to advance.
Yes.
It must be so. No matter when, her Valkyrie armor is just like her, never choosing to retreat!
This is something you can only feel when using her Valkyrie armor!
Stepping back is only to build momentum for a better charge forward!
Riding the momentum of [Guren Flash], Bai Ming closed in on the Doomsday Beast's oppressive giant claw in an extremely short time.
Power up your Strike!
Bai Ming's baseball bat grew intensely hot.
Honestly, if she could, She would truly prefer a [Judgment of Shamash] to replace this "heirloom" baseball bat in her hand.
But!
She has neither!
Damn it!
It's all because this Doomsday Beast is cheating!
Thud!
The Doomsday Beast's giant claw was forcefully smashed into the platform's deck by the resentful Bai Ming using her baseball bat.
"Roar!!"
The Doomsday Beast let out a roar.
Only to be met with an even more vehement retort from Bai Ming.
"What are you roaring for, you cheater!"
Whoosh!
The baseball bat began radiating heat that should have been nearly impossible, as if countless flames were burning upon it.
She glared at the Doomsday Beast, pointing her bat at it, and declared:
"My turn, it's only just begun!"
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A/n: Hey over on my patreon there are currently two for the time being exclusive books which are
Life Simulator: Starting in Genshin Impact!
Zenless Zone Zero: Loving Daily Life Starting in New Eridu
patreon.com/deadlygoober