Oh no, I chipped a tooth on that sharp edge! / Theresa: My strength... is being... drained...

In the reception room, Xia Ling acted as a guide for the others.

"That portal is where you can choose a direction after the battle, but in most cases you can only choose the one in front. If you choose a node in the same column, you will have to pay an extra price."

"Herrscher power? That's right, this system is indeed based on a Herrscher power that you've never seen before, but that involves spoilers, so I'll introduce it to you after you've all completed the game."

"Of course, it's not just these combat nodes. Rather, these are just appetizers... The real tough battles are the boss nodes and special combat nodes you'll encounter. These purple portals are actually relatively easy... well, most of them are."

"Ah, look here."

Seeing that Kiana and the others had already passed through three battle nodes, Xia Ling quickly tapped the screen.

"This dark green cat portal represents the shop. The silver coins dropped during the battle can be used to purchase some wonderful collectibles here."

"You can test the effects of the collection later, but what I really wanted to say was this."

Xia Ling pointed to a strange green scale in the shop.

"This item is one of the essential items to unlock the Ending Two. If you want to unlock the Ending Two, you must obtain this item on the first floor."

"Huh? Don't we need to explore this ourselves?"

Theresa tilted her head.

"The first two endings are guaranteed to appear in terms of difficulty to find, Kiana should know this as well, so we'll use these as examples to demonstrate."

"However, Kiana shouldn't come up here and immediately... uh..."

Xia Ling discovered that Kiana on the screen had bought the Snake Scales from Pardo without hesitation.

"Huh? So sharp?"

Meanwhile, Kiana was happily trading with the cat.

"My lord, the silver coins constructed using the power of the Herrscher of Reason have no value for purchase, you know?"

The cat's arms crossed to form a big X.

"Damn it, it seems that Sister Xia Ling's trial doesn't involve skipping class to fight... If only I could empty the store."

Bronya spoke expressionlessly, making the cat's tail stand up straight.

There was no way around it; the collectibles in the display window were just too tempting. For example, the Dream Essence, according to its description, could directly increase one's Honkai Energy recovery speed by 50%. Bronya couldn't even imagine how powerful she would be without Honkai Energy restrictions.

Kiana, meanwhile, stared into deep thought at a green Snake Scales displayed in the shop window without any description.

Based on her experience, these collectibles that have no special effects, or even have negative effects, are often the conditions for unlocking different endings. So, should she try to go for other endings directly?

"Miss Pardo, I've decided, this is it."

After thinking for a while, Kiana decided to just charge in headfirst.

Unfortunately, she was incredibly lucky in the battles on the First Floor. She obtained Mei and Duck Duck's promotion tickets in just three battles. According to Xia Ling, the drop rate for these items is only one in three.

The trio reunited, and Kiana was brimming with confidence.

"Do you want to go straight to Ending Two?"

Elysia's eyes held a hint of amusement. "That'll be interesting. I wonder if they'll be surprised by Doctor Mobius's abilities when they see the final boss on the Fifth Floor."

"The premise is that they can reach the Ending Two."

Xia Ling shook her head slightly, not optimistic about the outcome of this exploration.

"Although they are currently in a situation where their strength is barely enough... most of the bosses on the Third Floor have a mechanic that kills on first encounter."

"Especially since I set up quite a few trap nodes inside to increase the difficulty... Look, you've already stepped on one."

At this moment, the three-person team—or rather, the four-person team—had arrived at the starting point of the Third Floor of the trial.

All three starting nodes Unexpected Encounter, so Kiana randomly chose one to enter.

She was greeted by a guy she could be considered an acquaintance.

[Unexpected Encounter - Recruitment]

A mysterious figure, seemingly heavily modified, blocked your path. He called himself the Gray Serpent and extended an invitation to you to join his self-created cult of mechanical deus ex machina.

You have no interest in this so-called church, but the offer you're offered is incredibly tempting.

[Reject him, this is a slide you absolutely cannot touch (Receive 5 Cat Coins)]

A wave of the hand doesn't mean rejection, but rather that no further words are needed (obtain three keys, and different Perilous Enemy will appear for battle)

Chapter Sixty-Seven: Wanla, her sharp teeth snapped.

"It's the key!"

Kiana's voice sounded somewhat surprised.

After encountering the Recruitment Voucher on the First Floor, they gained nothing else on the entire second floor except for one Recruitment Voucher for Durandal.

These keys can be used to allow them to move vertically, exploring adjacent nodes in the same column for more opportunities.

"However, it also says here that choosing the second option will trigger a different boss level..." Mei hesitated for a moment. "Based on my understanding of Sister Xia Ling, this probably means that the original boss will be strengthened."

"Mei means that it's possible that, like when we did the contract battles before, a single exclusive enhancement affix could drastically increase the difficulty?"

Kiana seemed lost in thought.

"That's right. I remember that when Sister Xia Ling explained the rules before we entered, she said that since the Flame-Chasers here are simulated combat data, in order to balance the lack of combat experience, Sister Xia Ling gave all the bosses data amplification."

"It's alright, Bronya. She enjoys challenges."

"I also think we should first see just how difficult it is... before deciding how to choose."

Although she hasn't reached Elite 2 yet, Durandal is still very confident in her abilities.

After all, unless you're extremely unlucky, you'll usually find an advancement ticket after going through a whole floor. Durandal was quite confident in her full strength.

So, under the watchful eyes of Xia Ling and the others, Kiana decisively chose to take the key.

Xia Ling: Trying not to laugh (Long Tu. jpg)

"Speaking of which... was Gray Serpent this active in the Previous Civilization as well?"

"Yes, Headmaster... The Gray Serpent was originally a product accidentally created by Doctor Mobius from the Previous Civilization."

Fu Hua answered her; triggered by the scene, her memories of the Previous Civilization were gradually becoming clearer.

"As for what they're going through now... I'm sorry, I don't remember it very clearly."

"You Old Fossil, how come you don't know anything...?"

"Ahem, let me explain."

Xia Ling cleared her throat. "Actually, what they triggered here is a part of the history of the Gray Serpent after its birth."

"During that period, Gray Serpent created many organizations to conduct experiments, and some of them were anti-human. In the context of the apocalypse at the time, they unexpectedly attracted a lot of people."

"This kind of behavior, which would reduce social stability, was naturally targeted by the Fire Moth... and the assassin who dealt with the Gray Serpent is the enemy that Kiana and her team will face on this level."

"Is it Sakura?" Fu Hua finally remembered after Xia Ling reminded her.

"That's right, it's Sakura. She's also the counterpart of Yae Sakura in the current civilization, and the older sister of the Herrscher of Corruption from the previous era..."

"Wait, wait, Xia Ling, now that you've told us so much information, aren't you afraid that we'll share it with Kiana and the others after we're recruited?"

"Don't worry, Sirin."

Xia Ling patted Sirin on the shoulder.

"I just used my privileges to check, Kiana probably used up all her luck on the First Floor. The path she chose now, including the nearby paths... doesn't have a single usable ticket."

"Oh, this..."

Just as Xia Ling had seen the backend data, Kiana and the others used the key they had just obtained to hop back and forth between the two paths three times, traversing almost all the nodes on both paths.

However, I only received two duplicate Recruitment Voucher.

"Let Bronya be the captain next time. That idiot Kiana must have used up all her luck on the First Floor, which is why we're so unlucky and haven't received a single ticket."

Bronya looked at the blood-red boss node in front of her and sighed.

"It's alright. Even if I only have the strength of a normal S-rank Valkyrie, I won't hold you back. In fact, it's been a long time since I've experienced a battle where I go all out."

Durandal was eager to try.

Compared to her usual training programs at the Schicksal Headquarters, Xia Ling's training mechanism was indeed extremely interesting—she was considering whether to ask Xia Ling after she left the headquarters if it was possible to promote this thing at the Schicksal Headquarters.

"Let's take a look at the description of this node first."

Mei stood in front of the portal, looking at the informational light screen that automatically popped up next to it.

[Perilous Enemy —An Uninvited Guest]

Within the Gray Serpent organization, you received abundant material rewards and spiritual enjoyment—the other party fulfilled his promises perfectly. However, now, an uninvited guest has disrupted your feast.

The other party was a masked woman who appeared to be completely defenseless. She hoped you would stop your disruptive behavior, but after seeing your lack of remorse, she silently drew her weapon.

Sakura has received a special enhancement; her weapon has been changed to the Seven Thunders of Retribution.

After the light curtain pops up, the node's environment begins to change.

"Sakura? That name sounds familiar..." Bronya frowned slightly. "I remember Sister Xia Ling mentioning that she is the counterpart of Sister Yae Sakura."

"However, the differences between the same entities are also very large, Yae Sakura's fighting style is not very useful for us."

Thinking about the gap between herself and Doctor. Mei from the Previous Civilization, Mei decisively abandoned her sparring experience with Yae Sakura.

"So you still want to give it a try, right? It's okay, Bronya can construct some mechs first..."

Before she could finish speaking, and before anyone could react, with a crisp sound of her sword being drawn, Bronya transformed into Bronya and then vanished in a wisp of light.

Bronya!

"Be careful, I didn't sense anyone making a move at all."

Durandal was closest to Bronya, slowly broke out in a cold sweat.

Even if Xia Ling said she improved the other party's physical attributes, it shouldn't be that outrageous. Judging from Durandal's combat experience, she guessed that the other party might possess some powerful silent weapon, similar to Xia Ling's fighting style.

After all, the previous introduction stated that the other party possessed the Seven Thunders of Retribution.

To the three's surprise, the pink-haired masked assassin made no attempt to hide, but instead brazenly exposed himself to them.

The Seven Thunders of Retribution were not the sniper rifle that Durandal had imagined, but a long sword that crackled with lightning.

"What happened?"

Those watching from outside also failed to see Sakura's movements clearly.

Thus, the questioning gaze was focused on the combat designer Xia Ling.

"Uh... to be precise, that's Sakura's ability— Instantaneous Blade, [Myriad Illusions Without Light]."

"The specific manifestation is... a strike so fast it can freeze space. At least judging from Kiana and the others' situation, no one should be able to counter this attack yet."

"Is this why Bronya was instantly killed right from the start?"

Theresa suddenly realized. "So that means that as long as we survive this one blow, things should be easier afterward, right?"

"Actually..." Xia Ling looked away shyly, "This thing isn't a limited skill, it's Sakura's regular skill."

"As for the cooldown time... in enhanced mode, it's once every five minutes."

Chapter Sixty-Eight Theresa: My strength... is being... completely drained...

"Sister Xia Ling, is that thing really something a person hit?"

Kiana let out a wail as soon as she emerged from the trial.

"They forcibly kill one of us every five minutes, and there's no way to defend against it. We also have to fight her normally for the next five minutes... Even without the instant kill mechanism, we probably won't win too easily."

"Who told you to have nothing better to do than challenge the alien boss... If it were the normal version of Sakura, you would only be instantly killed twice before you could deal enough damage. After all, that data version of Sakura doesn't know how to run away or kite; she just goes head-to-head with you."