Fusion Warrior

In June, at the age of twenty-one, the Seventh Herrscher—the Herrscher of Flames—was born.

The Herrscher was Himiko, the highly decorated captain of Squad Five.

Thirty seconds before Himiko transformed into a Herrscher, you had Squad Five evacuate. Everyone trusted you and Elysia; though they had their doubts, they still chose to listen to you. As a result, Squad Five suffered no casualties.

As for why you had not informed the people in Australia beforehand, you believed it might create a butterfly effect. Even the slightest change could lead to a different outcome.

But in truth, you did not care. They were not on your list of people to save.

That was Yoshikage Kira: a calm and elegant murderer who sought peace in his heart.

Watching everyone return to the base, Mei let out a sigh of relief, but Vill-V's brows remained tightly furrowed.

Vill-V walked over to Pardo. Pardo's eyes were red-rimmed, and when she saw Vill-V, she tearfully stammered, "Sob... Sister Vill-V... Boss... Boss, he..."

Vill-V gently patted Pardo's back and patiently said, "It's okay, Pardo. Take your time."

"Boss... Boss didn't come out." Pardo finally managed a complete sentence, but it was not news Vill-V wanted to hear.

There was no screaming or crying, no railing against fate. Vill-V calmed herself, looked at the flames in the distance that continued to spread across every inch of Australia, and said, "All logistics and research personnel, take the important supplies and data. Abandon the Australian branch base."

"All other combat personnel, prepare for battle and search-and-rescue operations."

Although Vill-V was not the overall commander, everyone understood that this was the best course of action for now. They quickly sprang into action.

People hurried around her, while Vill-V stood there blankly. No one knew what she was thinking.

A moment later, Vill-V took a deep breath, returned to her Spiral Workshop, and took out the Third Divine Key—Seven Thunders of Retribution.

As if sensing Vill-V's mood, Seven Thunders of Retribution obediently remained in its sniper rifle form.

After pressing the Spiral Workshop's self-destruct button, Vill-V slowly walked out and headed toward the members of Squad Five.

"I'll go with you." Raising the sniper rifle in her hand, Vill-V spoke to them.

Considering that only Vill-V understood the Divine Key in her possession, everyone agreed to let her provide long-range support.

But in less than an hour, they had withdrawn from Australia.

Like magma, like the sun, the flames' extreme heat turned every inch of Australia into hell. The seawater surrounding the continent churned and boiled.

The Herrscher of Flames' authority rapidly swept through every corner of Australia. Squad Five was forced to leave before they even caught sight of the Australian Megadome.

Standing on the departing ship, Vill-V gripped the railing tightly and stared fixedly at the flames filling the skies over Australia.

After returning to Flame Chasers headquarters, Kevin reported the situation to the higher-ups.

Afterward, Flame Chasers convened an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures.

But everyone was at a loss.

No matter what weapon entered Australia, it was instantly vaporized, let alone a person.

"Then, shall we try my Fusion Warrior Project?"

As everyone agonized over the situation, Doctor Mobius made a suggestion.

After another round of discussion, the higher-ups approved this—the only method that might break the deadlock.

Doctor Mobius would perform the surgery, implanting Hyper-Evolution Factors modified from Honkai Beast genes into human bodies.

But what was the experiment's success rate? Almost zero.

Hearing odds that were practically equivalent to certain death, everyone fell silent.

Only Pardo and Vill-V raised their hands.

But then Kevin raised his hand as well and said to the two of them, "Let me do it."

"But, Kevin..." Seeing her lover raise his hand, Mei immediately began to say something, but Kevin interrupted her.

"Mei, do you know? Although everyone calls me a hero, in my heart, Senior Yoshikage Kira is the true hero."

"You and Doctor Mobius perfected the Hyper-Evolution Factor together, right?"

Mei nodded, and Kevin continued, "Then please believe in me, just as I believe in the results of your research."

"A hero can't run away at the moment of battle."

After saying that, Kevin made a promise to Pardo and Vill-V. "Leave it to me. I'll definitely bring Senior Yoshikage Kira back."

As if by a miracle, Kevin survived the experiment, whose success rate had been almost zero.

Kevin fused with the genes of Parvati, an Emperor-class Honkai Beast. Designated CM-001, he possessed the ability to control ice.

After leaving the laboratory, Kevin radiated a bone-chilling cold that made it impossible to approach him.

Mei stepped forward to embrace Kevin, but he dodged her.

"...Mei, you might get frostbite if you touch me." After a brief silence, Kevin explained.

Ignoring his warning, Mei stepped forward and grabbed Kevin's hand.

"Brief contact won't be a problem... I won't waste words. Go subdue the Herrscher, Kevin."

Pulling his hand free from his lover's grasp, Kevin nodded.

"Leave it to me."

After Kevin left, Doctor Mobius looked at Mei by the door and asked, "Do you need me to treat that for you?"

"Sorry for the trouble, Doctor." Looking at her frostbitten hand, Mei thanked Doctor Mobius.