5. Fu Hua, you are free!
The manifestations of the Honkai are elusive. War, infectious diseases, climate disasters, comet impacts—the Honkai is sometimes the source that triggers disasters, sometimes the force that accelerates them, and could even be the disaster itself.
During the Third Honkai Eruption of the previous civilization era, the forms of the Honkai, aside from endless thunderstorms and falling comets, included the worst of all: the Zombies.
[You concealed the wound you received from a Zombie's scratch and, together with Fu Hua, escorted Carol to the rendezvous point agreed upon with MOTH.]
[It was then that you realized the citizens who had just died in the disaster were beginning to revive one by one, turning into Zombies.]
[This was the greatest danger of the Third Honkai Eruption.]
"Ow, my leg hurts so much... This really is the apocalypse..."
At that moment, Carol was being carried princess-style by Gao Qi. She trembled as she watched the "zombies" covered with purple patterns surrounding them and closing in.
Fu Hua was also in a somewhat sorry state. Holding a long staff, she remained vigilant, ready to strike down any Zombie that charged their way.
Now, Carol clung tightly to Gao Qi's solid chest, not wanting to move an inch.
She was truly terrified. If Gao Qi and Fu Hua had been a step later, she might have already joined the ranks of the "zombies."
"Mmm, Brother Gao Qi, if we survive this, I swear I'll dedicate myself to you! Even if we don't make it, I'd be content to die with you and Fu Hua—Ow!"
Bonk!
Of course, she immediately got a light knock on the head from Gao Qi. Meanwhile, Fu Hua's gaze toward her suddenly turned somewhat terrifying—what was that saying about guarding against fire, theft, and... something else?
This young girl from the "Post-Honkai Odyssey" era was just as lively in the previous civilization.
"Stop talking nonsense and don't move around."
Then, while running, Gao Qi suddenly performed a sliding tackle, dodging two pouncing Zombies. The "Vermilion Bird Treading on Clouds" movement technique was agile and versatile. Against these slow, ordinary Zombies, Gao Qi could easily evade them.
Immediately after, Gao Qi threw a powerful punch. Using the "White Tiger Listening to the Wind" force, combined with his momentum, he sent another Zombie flying aside.
These Zombies were no different from typical zombies—devoid of reason, acting solely on instinct. There was no sign of the elegant, white-haired, long-legged Zombie ladies seen in the games.
In reality, those were a minority of high-level entities. The Zombie that had scratched Gao Qi earlier had already begun to grow white fur, its physical capabilities greatly enhanced, and its arm starting to take on the scythe-like form of a "Scythe Zombie."
The moment it cut him, Gao Qi could almost hallucinate a "ding" sound.
The Honkai had just erupted, and true Zombies were still scarce. Seizing the opportunity, Gao Qi and Fu Hua hurried toward the extraction point.
"Qi-ge, is your injury okay?"
After changing vehicles several times and running several kilometers on foot, the continuous battles had left Fu Hua utterly exhausted. But seeing the torn clothing around Gao Qi's waist, she grew deeply concerned.
"It's fine, it's fine, look, it's not even bleeding—Don't worry, the organization I know is reliable. They'll get us safely out of Canghai City. I've got everything under control."
However, Gao Qi simply shook his head and gave Fu Hua a bright, reassuring smile.
"Mhm!"
Seeing Gao Qi's calm and composed demeanor, Fu Hua's heart settled, and she quickened her pace to keep up with him.
She was determined to escape this hell alongside Gao Qi.
[You reassured Fu Hua, but inside, you were filled with regret and reluctance to part.]
[Your wound indeed wasn't bleeding, but a purple glow was spreading through your muscles and nerves. With your extensive experience of dying from Honkai corruption, you knew you were already contaminated with high-concentration Honkai energy.]
[The Honkai energy carried by the Zombies far exceeded ordinary radiation contamination. Without intermediate Honkai resistance, you would likely turn into a Zombie within a minute. Now, that process had been extended to a few hours.]
[You decided to keep this from Fu Hua. Your death was inevitable, but you hoped this farewell wouldn't be filled with despair.]
[Finally, against all odds, you broke through the horde of Zombies with Fu Hua. Not far from the rendezvous point, a squad of fully armed soldiers rushed over and helped eliminate the pursuing enemies.]
[They all bore the same insignia, resembling moths drawn to a flame.]
[The leader of this squad was a tall, cold, and stern woman with red hair, valiant and poised.]
[She introduced herself as Himiko, captain of MOTH's 5th Squad, responsible for search and rescue operations in Canghai City. The moment she saw you, her expression turned grim.]
[You shook your head, signaling her not to say anything. After a moment's hesitation, she personally led you to a field tent to settle Fu Hua and Carol.]
[You knew it was time to say goodbye.]
[Having temporarily reached a safe zone, Fu Hua and Carol's tense nerves finally relaxed. The latter, with a splint applied and sedatives administered, quickly fell into a deep sleep. The small tent was now occupied only by Gao Qi and Fu Hua.]
[Somehow, the usually taciturn Fu Hua, like you, became unusually talkative. The two of you spoke about many things—the past, the future.]
"Qi-ge... you actually joined these people a long time ago, right?"
Fu Hua was also extremely tired but forced herself to stay awake, keeping Gao Qi company in conversation. She sat beside him, gently holding his hand.
"Yeah, I joined long ago. Your brother here is an excellent warrior. But MOTH's existence is classified, so I couldn't tell you. Sorry about that."
Gao Qi, feeling the intensifying pain within his body and the rebellion of his organs and tissues, gritted his teeth and embraced Fu Hua, patting her head gently.
Although it was a simulated system, the memories of over a decade spent with this girl in Gao Qi's mind were not fake. Now that he was about to die, how could he truly bear to let go?
But Gao Qi had no regrets. The original Fu Hua would have hidden in a corner of Canghai City, been discovered by Himeko in despair and regret, and then faced one piece of bad news after another.
Now, however, Gao Qi had caused Fu Hua's destiny... to change just a little. That was enough.
Even knowing that the future Celestial Crane would completely forget these memories, Gao Qi still had no regrets.
"But now that you're safe, I have to continue with other missions. There are still many people who need saving. Take good care of Uncle and Carol. I'll come back to visit often."
In the end, Gao Qi didn't have the courage to say any final words of farewell. He didn't want to upset Fu Hua further, so he told a lie — in the game, Fu Hua was willing to sacrifice herself for her cherished classmates, for Kiana and Mei... so what did it matter if Gao Qi sacrificed himself once too?
"Of course, remember what I said, Hua. You are free! You always have the right to choose the life you want, a life that makes you happy, a future that satisfies you! No one can control you, nothing can bind you. I will always be on your side!"
Thinking of Fu Hua's future — bound by duty, warped by the Divine Voice, becoming like a machine through her millennia of life — Gao Qi couldn't help but add one last reminder.
Fu Hua didn't say anything, just buried her head in Gao Qi's chest, seeming exceptionally calm.
"Mm, I'll wait for you."
Seeing that Fu Hua didn't seem suspicious, Gao Qi felt relieved. He slowly stood up, hesitated for a moment, then lifted Fu Hua's soft face and gently kissed her forehead.
"Goodbye, Hua."
I'm about to die. Is it too much to take a little advantage of our esteemed Class Monitor?
Not daring to look at Fu Hua again, Gao Qi clutched the wound at his waist and walked out of the tent. He reached the camp entrance and looked towards the red-haired woman waiting for him, clad in form-fitting combat gear.
So similar.
In reality, Gao Qi had already lost any chance to see Teacher Himeko again. He never expected he'd get to meet the "Himeko" of the Previous Era.
"Such severe Honkai infection, yet you've held on for so long. You're quite special, Mr. Gao Qi. You could have been a fine warrior."
Arms crossed, Himeko looked at Gao Qi, her dark golden eyes filled with calmness. She had witnessed too many partings in life and death, and was long numb to it.
"But it's about time. My prophet friend foretold my death would be today — I leave Fu Hua in your care, Miss Himeko. Her future potential is limitless. Teach her well."
Before Himeko could respond, Gao Qi stepped closer, meeting her gaze directly.
"As payment, I'll give you a prophecy, free of charge — Himeko, believe it or not, you will be the seventh Herrscher, the Herrscher of Flame. Your death, like mine, will be a heavy blow to my little sister. Don't let her grieve too much."
Watching Himeko's eyes widen sharply, Gao Qi patted her shoulder and walked towards the camp's exit, casually taking the gun from her waist as he passed. Himeko subconsciously raised a hand, but ultimately didn't stop him.
"I'll find a secluded place to end it myself. Remember to collect my body. I don't mind if you use me for experiments — I know you guys in Fire Moth love that stuff. Just don't let Fu Hua find out."
Taking one last look towards the tent where Fu Hua was, Gao Qi walked towards a deserted corner.
[You feel death approaching. The power of the Honkai flows in your veins. The roar of thunder echoes in your mind — the roar and shrieks of a Herrscher, commanding you to destroy, to tear apart everything around you, to burn this vile, filthy civilization to the ground!]
[The Honkai's power is too strong, but you refuse to yield. You press the sci-fi-esque gun against your own head, constantly trying to control and adapt to the power within, hoping to gain something before succumbing completely to madness.]
[You will never beg for mercy. You will never retreat. Minutes feel like days as you let the pain consume you, feeling the flow of Honkai energy, trying to make it your own — at the cost of death, you actually managed to grasp that sensation.]
[And at that moment, a girl with short, light pink hair and bright blue eyes appeared before you. She arrived as promised, but only caught your final moments.]
[Her face bore a smile that was impossible to refuse, a beauty unforgettable after just one glance. Yet, in her eyes, lay an unmistakeable, deep-seated sorrow.]
"She really is a shy, beautiful girl, like a flower. Well then, goodbye."
[After saying these words to her, you pulled the trigger.]
[A moment before the Honkai could claim you, you destroyed your own brain, while simultaneously manipulating a faint trace of Honkai energy to prevent yourself from turning into a Honkai beast.]
[In your fading consciousness, you saw a figure wreathed in lightning and thunder, looking at you with interest from a thousand miles away.]
[It said—]
[You didn't catch it. You died.]
[Simulation complete. Evaluating now.]
——————
Gao Qi opened his eyes and touched his temple, which had just been pierced by a bullet — still intact.
Sitting up from his dorm bed, Gao Qi looked out at the Schicksal skyport.
It was early morning now, the sky just beginning to lighten. Everything was as usual.
"Xiao Hua, what do you want for breakfas—"
He called out instinctively, then paused, before shrugging helplessly and letting out a soft sigh.
"...For breakfast, let's have noodles."
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?