They All Said This Wasn't a Life Simulation Game!

Soon after, alarms blared throughout the Moth to Fire base, waking countless people from their sleep as they rushed to the assembly point.

"The Fourth Great Honkai Outbreak" had begun.

Chapter 15: The "No Survivors" Island

[The sudden alarm interrupted everyone's rest, and you were no exception. You quickly got up, changed, and headed to the assembly point.]

[While en route to the Honkai outbreak site in an aircraft, you all gained a general understanding of the situation—the Fourth Herrscher's outbreak occurred on an island in the southeastern Pacific. The Fourth Herrscher then moved north for a distance, forming a storm vortex as it stopped. This storm is continuously expanding, and it's estimated that within 24 hours, it will affect the southeastern coastal areas of the Mu Continent, as well as the western coastal areas of Central and South America. Within 36 hours, it will cause significant destruction to coastal cities.]

[Currently, satellites are continuously monitoring the Fourth Herrscher's location. Elysia, who is on another mission, is being urgently recalled. Simultaneously, coastal cities that might be affected are undergoing emergency evacuation, with the goal of eliminating the Fourth Herrscher before it moves again or the storm causes major damage to coastal cities.]

[Of course, there's also a special mission—to go to the island where the Herrscher broke out and rescue those still trapped there.]

[Yes, that nameless island within the storm sent out a distress signal. Although direct contact is impossible due to the storm, there might still be people alive on that island.]

[Honestly, it's hard to imagine that a Herrscher-level Honkai outbreak occurred on such an unrecorded, nameless island, and there are still people alive who require a special rescue. Even more so, this mission was directly assigned to you, Sakura, and Hen, leading three squads, as if the trapped individuals were someone very important... Huh?]

[An unrecorded, nameless island? — You frowned, sensing something was wrong, and a guess formed in your mind.]

[You hoped it wasn't what you were thinking, but your hand instinctively gripped the sword at your waist.]

[Sakura, seeing this, wanted to comfort you, but she quickly realized something herself. She opened her mouth, then closed it.]

[The aircraft soon entered the storm range and, amidst violent shaking, slowly landed on the nameless island. Fortunately, with the addition of the genius Dr. Mei, the research department's application and protection against Honkai Energy had reached a new level. Otherwise, you probably wouldn't have even been able to fly to this island.]

[You cautiously disembarked from the aircraft and slowly advanced through the gale mixed with Honkai Energy, clearing out the inexplicably numerous Honkai Creatures on the island while inching towards the trapped individuals' safe house—or rather, the safe house of others.]

[The moment you set foot on this island, the moment you saw the luxurious buildings on it, you knew you had found it, found that "island." Thus, you handed over command of your squad to Sakura, intending to "explore" alone first.]

[No one else objected, especially not the members of your and Sakura's squads. After all, they were long accustomed to the "effective division of labor" where "you and Sakura would break away from the team to kill enemies upfront, while they provided support, logistics, and civilian rescue from behind."]

[The main reason was that you two moved too fast, and your speed in clearing Honkai Creatures was so great that others couldn't keep up. This led to your squad members developing strong independence. Your respective adjutants were now almost completely taking over your command.]

[Rather, it was already surprising that you only left this time and, in a relatively orderly manner, handed over command to Sakura instead of just running off. Your two adjutants were even relieved—Finally! Finally, no extra work! Although you ran off this time, at least Sakura stayed! This is significant progress!]

[Only Sakura knew what you were going to do, but she had no reason to stop you, nor did she intend to. She knew very well how deep your hatred for "those guys" ran. Therefore, she only cautioned you, hoping you would "be careful," and said nothing more.]

[As for Hen, he seemed surprised to encounter such a situation for the first time. However, seeing that your squad members were all accustomed to it, he didn't say much either.]

[Thus, you separated from the squad and, as usual, carved a path through the numerous Honkai Creatures with a blade technique so swift it was almost invisible, and a decisive "one-hit kill" method. The fierce wind seemed to have no effect on you.]

[The others, while exclaiming "As expected of you," immediately advanced along the path you cleared. Although they were soon blocked by more Honkai Creatures, they were much closer to the target location.]

[As for you, after leaving the squad's sight, you began to explore the island.]

[You found many familiar places and familiar things, such as sealed rooms, various fully equipped "entertainment facilities," and anesthetic and psychotropic drugs... many, many familiar things.]

[Ah... that terrible memory surged back, and that long-buried anger and hatred seemed to be gathering again.]

[But seeing those buildings collapse from the fierce wind, those "entertainment facilities" destroyed, and the scattered drugs gathering dust, you couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration.]

[Thinking about the inexplicably numerous Honkai Creatures on the island made you want to laugh—So this is what happens to you guys!]

[You even felt a sense of approval for this Honkai outbreak, thinking it was completely justified, that such scum only wasted air by existing in this world.]

[But then, you thought that among those who became Honkai Creatures were people who had been persecuted and harmed just like you, and you couldn't be happy.]

["Captain, are you alright? The radar shows you haven't moved for a long time. Are you encountering any difficulties?" your adjutant's voice came through the squad communication. You snapped back to attention and quickly replied, "I'm fine, just taking a short break."]

["I see. Captain, you're very close to the destination. Could you check on the target's safety first? Although there's a safe house, you know, these monsters..." Although the adjutant found it a bit strange, he didn't dwell on it and instead offered a suggestion.]

[You knew the adjutant wanted you, the "vanguard," to check if the people in the safe house were still alive, so they wouldn't have made a wasted trip. After all, this had happened many times during previous missions. They would rush to the rescue location at full speed, only to find everyone inside dead upon arrival—either killed by Honkai Creatures breaking through the safe door, or dying from unnoticed Honkai infection. He didn't want this time to be wasted either. After all, the wind was getting stronger, and even the members at the aircraft were sending inquiries and urging them on. Continuing could mean everyone being stranded here.]

["I understand, I'll be right there," you replied immediately. "Thank you," the other party responded.]

[The adjutant's words reminded you that there were still people alive here.]

[Ah... right, there are still people alive here, still scum, right inside the safe house they built for themselves.]

["I'll go check..." you muttered. That long-buried terrible memory surged again. Thinking of those who were hurt like you and turned into Honkai Creatures along with those trash made you feel even more disgusted and nauseated.]

[You could almost feel the resentment and urging of the children who had suffered the same harm, spurring you to act quickly.]

[You simply whispered, "Don't worry... they will be saved."]

[If they were still alive, that is.]

[You quickly headed towards the safe house, luring nearly ten Honkai Creatures along the way, especially those designated as "Assault Class" Honkai Beasts. You lured several, while others were humans corrupted by Honkai Energy.]

[Then, using your mobility, you kept them at a distance, luring them to the safe house location. Using your identity as the "Rescue Squad Captain," you persuaded them to open the protective door, and before they could realize something was wrong, you firmly jammed the safe house door, preventing it from closing.]

[Seeing numerous Honkai Creatures approaching but unable to close the door because of you, with nowhere else to escape, they could only hope you would kill those Honkai Creatures, or perhaps pray you would enter the safe house so they could close the door.]

[Honestly, watching their panicked and begging subservient expressions was incredibly satisfying, but you wouldn't let them off the hook—When others begged them, did they ever show even the slightest bit of kindness, so meager it was questionable if it even existed?]

[You simply watched them with a calm smile, even disarming the weapons they intended to use for counterattack.]

[Then, you waited for the Honkai Creatures to arrive. As the Assault Class Honkai Beasts swung their rotating wings, you evaded, using their sharp, Honkai Energy-formed wings to destroy the safe house's door lock, completely shattering any hope of survival for those inside.]

[Then, you nimbly flipped over and quickly retreated, quietly waiting and watching as the Honkai Creatures killed those people one by one.]

["Report, the target location has been breached by Honkai Creatures. There are no survivors inside." You pressed the squad communication button right in front of them. Perhaps because the wind was too strong, you shouted loudly, making sure those inside could hear you.]

["Understood, good work Captain... Retreat quickly... The wind is getting... stronger, if we don't... we'll also be in tro..." The adjutant's voice came through the headset, broken and intermittent, clearly indicating that as the storm intensified, your squad's communication was becoming increasingly unstable.]

[You calmly killed the remaining Honkai Creatures and counted the corpses in the safe house.]

[Thirteen. Not one more, not one less. All those who were still alive inside were dead. To be safe, you even delivered a final blow to each of them—this was to ensure they wouldn't turn into Honkai Creatures, not for revenge.]

[Afterward, you quickly retreated and rendezvoused with the squad along the radar.]

["You've worked hard," Sakura nodded at you. There was nothing unusual, and being familiar with each other, she knew you must have accomplished what you set out to do. Now, all that mattered was a safe retreat.]

[Then, you all heard a frantic gust of wind, followed by a warning from the members at the aircraft, and then the sound of an explosion. After that... communication from that side was cut off.]

[You realized the aircraft you left in had been destroyed. Based on the suddenly larger and more chaotic storm, you deduced it was the work of the Fourth Herrscher. Although it was frustrating, you were now stranded on this island.]

[Not only that, but the concentration of Honkai Energy around you began to rise, and Honkai Creatures started to appear and multiply one by one.]

[After a brief discussion, you decided to head to the safe house to establish defenses and try to survive until the storm subsided and rescue arrived.]

[You led the team back to the safe house along the path you had previously retreated, quickly beginning to construct defenses.]

[Many were fortunate that the location and integrity of the safe house were still quite good. Only the main gate was damaged, so as long as they could defend the gate, they could likely hold out until rescue arrived.]

[Meanwhile, Hen meticulously checked the corpses inside the house. He had to prevent these bodies from being corrupted by Honkai Energy, turning into monsters, and ambushing them, or worse, adding to their enemies, which would be too troublesome.]

[Although he saw obvious wounds left by you on the corpses, Hen didn't mind. After all, "learning to finish off corpses when fighting Honkai" was common knowledge for all soldiers. He even added a couple more blows to prevent any corpses from "coming back to life," and then proceeded to discard all the bodies outside one by one.]

[Finally, through your efforts in eliminating them with firepower, and your and Sakura's agile clearing operations, the surrounding Honkai Creatures were significantly reduced. The team members also used available tools and materials to build a defensive position at the entrance of the safe house, allowing them to finally catch their breath.]

[Perhaps because the threat of death had lessened, the team members even started chatting and joking with each other inside the safe house, creating a momentarily relaxed atmosphere. If not for the raging wind that had yet to subside, and was even intensifying, some might have thought you were on an outing... well, perhaps not that exaggerated.]

[The main reason for this atmosphere was you and Sakura. Although you two always separated from the teams you led, your strength was undeniably convincing. Your swift and precise combat style allowed you to quickly clear out the surrounding Honkai Creatures, to the point where the members on the defensive line barely had to kill any Honkai Beasts.]

[Midway, Hen hoped to take over your work, allowing you to rest a bit, or to accompany you in your actions, hoping to lighten your burden—but he quickly gave up.]

[There was no helping it; the two of you moved too fast. He couldn't keep up; your mobility speed was completely incomparable to his.]

[Of course, you two couldn't maintain such high-intensity combat indefinitely. So, as night approached, you and Sakura stayed in the safe house to rest. Naturally, the other members understood. After all, you had ensured their safety during the day, and when you rested at night, it was naturally their turn to take responsibility.]

[Someone even joked about whether they should leave you two some private space, but the result was that the person received two flying pebbles and a punch—the flying pebbles were naturally thrown by you and Sakura, while the punch was delivered by your captain, Hen, to him.]

[Although neither hurt much, his embarrassed expression caused everyone to burst into laughter.]

[After a simple meal of military rations and some playful banter, the members gradually quieted down, taking their positions. Although night had fallen, the Honkai Beasts wouldn't rest just because of it, so they couldn't let their guard down.]

[You and Sakura leaned against each other, gradually falling asleep in the corner.]

[The next day, the fierce wind had not subsided. You and Sakura reduced the time and frequency of your excursions to clear out enemies—even you two couldn't endure that blade-like wind for long.]

[On the third day, the wind intensified further. Even the Honkai Creatures became fewer, but the environment had become so harsh that even you and Sakura could not go outside. You could only huddle within the defensive position, resisting the onslaught of the remaining Honkai Creatures.]

[On the fourth day, the wind persisted, but the Honkai Creatures had vanished. It seemed they were torn apart by the blade-like wind the moment they appeared. You had to use all your resources to seal the safe house door, while also beginning to check the remaining food, drinking water, and ammunition, and constantly monitoring the communication equipment to ensure that you could contact the main force the moment the storm subsided.]

[On the afternoon of the fifth day, the communication equipment connected, and you received news that the Fourth Herrscher had been killed by Kevin yesterday, but the residual storm only began to gradually dissipate early this morning.]

[At the same time, you also received orders from the higher-ups—to rendezvous with the reception troops, and after a quick rest, proceed to the western coast of South America to provide support.]

[This was because a special Honkai Creature had appeared there, requiring a large number of personnel to deal with it.]

[The codename of that Honkai Creature was—Gabriel.]

Chapter 16: [Gabriel]

"They really don't let anyone rest... just escaped confinement and already have to rush to a new battlefield."

A soldier sighed helplessly while checking his gear.

"That's how it is... Stop complaining and check your ammunition reserves and the new equipment. According to front-line reports, conventional weapons are ineffective against [Gabriel], and only the newly developed Honkai Energy weapons can cause effective damage. Check carefully, and don't lose your life to your own weapon."

Hen urged from the side.

"Got it, got it... Captain, why have you become so nagging after having children? And this weapon, I remember it hasn't been fully tested yet, right? Is it really okay to let us use it on the battlefield?"

The soldier waved his hand, finding Hen's increasingly nagging tone annoying, and raised his question—this was also the reason for his slow and hesitant actions. Weapons that hadn't undergone full safety testing, and were using the same [Honkai Energy] as those monsters, how could anyone feel at ease?

"Instead of thinking about that, why not think about how to survive later?"

A companion adapting to the new weapon said casually.

"I heard the Honkai Beasts over there are as numerous as tides, and a few teams can't handle them. If that weren't the case, the higher-ups wouldn't have us rush over immediately."

"Didn't they defeat the Herrscher? Why are there still so many Honkai Beasts?"

"Maybe it's the aftermath of the Fourth Herrscher? After all, this Herrscher appeared at sea, and the Honkai Beasts we encountered on the island weren't as numerous as before. Who knows, maybe the Honkai Beasts that appeared with the Fourth Herrscher were hidden in the sea and are now crawling ashore."

"That makes sense."

The two chatted casually, their attention shifting from their worries about the weapons in their hands.

Hen, seeing this, let out a sigh of relief.

In fact, there was one thing he hadn't mentioned: these weapons were indeed "experimental." Even the people in charge didn't know if they were effective. It was just that after discovering that conventional weapons were no longer effective against [Gabriel], and even their effects on other Honkai Beasts had become minimal, they had to resort to these weapons that were still in the testing phase—after all, there was one thing they did know: Honkai Energy weapons caused far more devastating damage than conventional weapons.

In other words, these three squads, and even the several squads that would be sent to support them later, were all "experimental subjects."

It wasn't that the higher-ups deliberately wanted to "sell" them, or intentionally wanted them to die, but simply... they were pushed to their limits, with no other options.

After all, according to previously obtained information, the battle to defeat the [Fourth Herrscher] was already a hard-won victory. Ordinary weapons couldn't even break through the large storm circle surrounding the enemy. After several days of effort, the storm still swept across the coastal areas, even allowing the [Fourth Herrscher] to set foot on land.

In the end, if it weren't for certain methods used to enrage the [Fourth Herrscher], causing her to stop expanding the storm's range and instead use smaller, more terrifying, and concentrated wind masses to snipe targets, the final outcome of the battle against the Fourth Herrscher might still have been uncertain.

Of course, even so, their victory was hard-fought. Several squads became sniping targets for the [Fourth Herrscher]. By sacrificing themselves to attract the enemy's attention, they finally bought Kevin the time to break through the storm surrounding the enemy and the opportunity to kill her.