The Real Golden Finger in Honkai is Alicia!

Instantly, the light in Yae Sakura's eyes vanished, her pink fox ears drooped, and her entire being seemed to lose its vitality.

"Miss Miko?" Gwen asked softly.

"I'm sorry, I lost my composure..." Yae Sakura's voice was a little hoarse, her eyes feeling sore but not shedding tears. She tried her best to speak calmly.

"No, I should be the one apologizing... Miss Yae Sakura." Gwen replied softly, his voice tinged with apology.

"No, I should thank you." Shaking her head, Yae Sakura was no longer cold and guarded as before. She appeared fragile and helpless. "Thank you for telling me Kallen's whereabouts. It lets me know that even after five hundred years, there are still people moving forward inspired by her..."

Seemingly realizing her current state wasn't ideal, Yae Sakura quickly continued, "Mr. Gwen, did you mean you can completely resolve Hiyori Maru just now?"

"I haven't tried it, so I can't be certain, but it's worth a shot." Gwen shook his head gently, not giving a definitive answer, but his words carried a convincing aura.

"Um... forgive me for asking, Mr. Gwen, but the one fighting over there earlier... floating in mid-air, is that also someone from Schicksal you mentioned?" Yae Sakura pondered for a moment before asking.

"I am not worthy, but it is indeed I," Gwen replied with a smile.

"Okay..." Hearing this, Yae Sakura gained confidence in Gwen's strength. Even if they failed, the damage caused by Hiyori Maru controlling her again wouldn't be too significant. "Then, what do you need me to do?"

Her sole pillar of support had been gone for over five hundred years, and the chance for an end was right before her. Yae Sakura no longer wished to continue the nightmare that had tormented her for five centuries and chose to accept Gwen's help.

"If you don't mind, Miss Yae Sakura, please wait here for a moment." Seeing Yae Sakura's cooperation, Gwen breathed a sigh of relief. If he had to fight her first, it wasn't that he couldn't win, but he feared Hiyori Maru might cause some unforeseen trouble.

"Alright." Nodding, Yae Sakura stood in place, filled with anticipation for the end of the nightmare that had plagued her for five hundred years.

Amidst a brilliant, star-river-like radiance, Gwen completed his transformation, taking on a form that exuded a sense of holiness, more like a warrior than a deity.

"Please don't be nervous. This is just a necessary measure to prevent Hiyori Maru from causing greater disturbances." Gwen said to Yae Sakura, his Nexus armament on his arms glowing as he quickly released the Meta Field. Although its range and intensity had significantly decreased compared to when Nexus was present in Starfall Town, it was enough for Hiyori Maru, who was sealed.

Then, just as the Meta Field's light was halfway down, Yae Sakura, who had been very cooperative during her exchange with Gwen, began to act erratically. Dark red Honkai energy suddenly enveloped Yae Sakura, and the clear pupils of her eyes were replaced by a dark red hue. The slightly torn Miko attire she wore now seemed to possess a seductive allure.

Behind Yae Sakura, an ominous, shadowy figure emerged, completely shrouded in dark red mist. In her state of mental relaxation, Yae Sakura was unexpectedly controlled by the sudden surge of Hiyori Maru.

"Be careful!" A startled cry reached Gwen's ears, but this was all the help Yae Sakura could offer. Hiyori Maru, having temporarily seized control of Yae Sakura's body while her guard was down, didn't hesitate. Taking a step forward, she lunged at Gwen, who had unleashed the Meta Field.

The demonic sword at her waist, also stained with an ominous glow, was drawn and held by the controlled Yae Sakura, thrusting towards Gwen. It wasn't that Hiyori Maru didn't want to escape. However, compared to being hunted by the person in front of her and then cornered by a group of people, Hiyori Maru felt it was better to deal with the current opponent first. Moreover, Hiyori Maru had reason to believe that even if this person could eliminate another Quasi-Herrscher with their equipment and level a school, without their equipment now, her strike would surely pierce him through. At that point, whatever the opponent intended to do would become meaningless.

However, just as "Yae Sakura" approached Gwen with a ferocious smile that marred her beauty, about to plunge the demonic sword radiating an ominous glow into Gwen's body, she noticed Gwen had no intention of dodging, which gave her a sudden bad premonition.

The next moment, just as Hiyori Maru had predicted, the demonic sword in her hand, emanating an ominous glow, was completely knocked away by an immense force. The light on Gwen's Nexus armament faded, his true strength hidden. Before Hiyori Maru could recover from the shock and pain in her hands, she was firmly restrained in a dizzying spin by Gwen. While Valkyries are combat units specialized against Honkai, and the common dangerous enemies in Honkai are colossal Honkai Beasts, it doesn't mean that Valkyrie training lacks close-quarters combat techniques against humans. Perhaps far inferior to Old Xian's martial arts, it was enough to deal with Hiyori Maru, who was blinded by hatred. And so, Yae Sakura—or rather, Hiyori Maru—entered another world in this disheveled state.

"Ha... it seems my dear friend was holding back." At Schicksal Headquarters, Otto watched the satellite feed with a hearty smile.

Chapter 77: Hiyori Maru... Or Ling?

Otto had been paying attention to Gwen's mission the entire time.

After all, Gwen's importance to Otto had now surpassed Kiana's.

While he had considerable confidence in Gwen's strength, his opponent was a pseudo-Herrscher that had managed to defeat Theresa. Otto paid a little extra attention—

Otto merely wanted to test Gwen's actual combat power and prepare him for a promotion. He didn't want his number one tool to lose his life.

As Otto expected, the mere pseudo-Herrscher hardly posed any trouble for Gwen.

However, just as Otto was about to close the satellite feed, Gwen's actions caught his eye, drawing his attention to a figure that seemed out of place with the surroundings—

Although Otto couldn't see the other person's specific appearance due to the camera angle, Gwen's movements sparked his curiosity.

Then, Otto saw the scene where Gwen's Meta Field flashed with light, causing both of them to disappear.

"Did he open up the Imaginary Space?"

Stroking his chin, Otto began to ponder the abilities Gwen had displayed:

"It doesn't seem like it...

It looks more like his own special ability...

Heh... How interesting..."

Due to only having the satellite feed, Otto couldn't deduce any effective results.

Otto wasn't the least bit annoyed by Gwen's blatant act of holding back.

On the contrary, if Gwen were like Otto's other old friend, who didn't hold anything back even after knowing what he was, Otto would find it strange.

After all, people as simple and unpretentious as that old friend were too rare.

With that thought, Otto made a call to a contact saved as "Old Friend."

"What is it, Otto?"

The call was quickly connected, and a calm voice came from the other end.

"My dear old friend, don't be so distant..."

Compared to Fu Hua's calmness, Otto's tone was much more enthusiastic (and exaggerated).

"If you have something to say, say it. I'm quite busy here."

Although there were no survivors in the Honkai-affected area due to the pseudo-Herrscher's poison, the Valkyries of the Far East Branch were still incredibly busy.

Even with Feather of Dust covering for her, Fu Hua didn't want to chat with Otto at a time like this.

"Alright, I do have a small matter that requires your help, old friend."

Otto said with a smile, completely unfazed:

"I'll send you an address. It's within the blockade zone. Investigate if there's anything unusual there. You don't need to do anything else.

Hmm... Just investigate.

Be careful with your protection. Although that pseudo-Herrscher lady has been eliminated, the poisonous fog won't dissipate so easily."

Although I believe it's normal for Gwen to hold back, it's also reasonable for me, Otto, to investigate appropriately, right?

"Okay, I understand."

Fu Hua responded and immediately hung up the call.

"The surprises you give me are truly endless, my friend."

As he said this, Otto's gaze returned to the screen.

At this moment, it was empty, with only ruins covered by a faint poisonous fog...

"You bastard..."

Behind Gwen and "Yae Sakura," who were already tightly entangled, the seductive fox spirit bared its teeth, its blood-red eyes glaring fiercely at Gwen.

"How does it feel here? Can you help me fill out an experiment form?"

Black mist continuously surged from the restrained Yae Sakura, but Gwen, emitting a faint glow, completely ignored it, even having the leisure to tease Hiyori Maru.

Now that they were inside the Meta Field, Gwen had much more room to maneuver. If he could just stall for a bit longer, with the Meta Field absorbing the enemy's energy, Hiyori Maru's meager energy reserves, which were pitifully small for a regular Herrscher-class, would be depleted.

Once that happened, it would be much easier for Gwen to deal with her.

"Die!"

As if angered by Gwen's words, or perhaps because the simple black mist attack was ineffective, Hiyori Maru made a new move—

The black mist that had been lunging at Gwen all turned and flowed into the giant fox spirit's body, causing it to rapidly solidify and even gain a physical form.

"Trying to struggle in your death throes?"

Looking at the large fox, which was much uglier and more ferocious than the red and white fluffy big fox in the game, Gwen whispered. As it extended its claws, he made his move. His left hand continued to restrain Yae Sakura's body, while his right hand was raised high, gathering a brilliant light.

Boom!

The next moment, as Gwen swung his right arm, a golden lightning spear shot out, instantly crossing the not-so-long distance between them and striking Hiyori Maru's raised claws.

Then, without any surprise, the claws that collided with the lightning spear were pierced and shattered inch by inch.

After shattering Hiyori Maru's claws, Gwen's lightning spear continued its momentum, impaling Hiyori Maru's massive body and leaving a considerable transparent hole.

Black and red mist spread from the transparent hole, but it dissipated before traveling far, transforming into a part of the sustenance for this field after losing some of its essence.

Within these ancient ruins, Gwen, with the beautiful, tattered-robed shrine maiden in his arms, faced the monstrous beast he had severely wounded, creating a rather epic scene.

However, the next moment, Gwen's right hand, which had thrown the lightning spear, suddenly pressed down, grasping a soft, boneless, fair palm—

"Feigning weakness, creating a diversion. It seems you haven't been wasting your years, Hiyori Maru."

Looking down at those eyes that glowed with an enchanting light, Gwen said with a light laugh.

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, Hiyori Maru, whose scheme had been seen through, was about to say something when Gwen continued:

"Or perhaps... Ling?"

"..."

Instantly, Hiyori Maru swallowed the scathing retort she had prepared.

However, from "Yae Sakura," an aura far more terrifying than the kitsune from before erupted. The overwhelming malice and evil that washed over Gwen almost reminded him of Luciel, who had revived through malevolent thoughts—

Of course, it was only a similarity in aura.

"Don't mention that name!"

An incredibly sharp voice came from "Yae Sakura," filled with overflowing resentment and malice:

"I am a Herrscher!

I am the Apocalypse!

I will make the humans who imprisoned me and killed me pay a painful price!"