The Ability of Black Fire

Huang Hao wandered aimlessly through the wasteland. Why hadn't he gone to the concert? It was simple: he had gotten lost.

Huang Hao said, "Damn, I should've asked that uncle for directions first. It's my first time here, so I don't know the way at all!

"But I've been walking for so long, and I'm not hungry at all. Either the Imaginary Tree is behind this, or this fire is. Why the hell did it summon me?"

Seeing that searching for the way was getting him nowhere, Huang Hao simply lay down on the ground and began pondering the uses of this fire.

Huang Hao recalled that back in the Imaginary Tree, it could materialize, be used to give directions, and even kill people. But it shouldn't be limited to just that. The blank space alone was already incredibly powerful.

Huang Hao decided to try changing its form with his mind.

"So... how do I use my mind?"

Well, the first step had already stumped him.

Huang Hao stared at the fire in his hand and silently thought, Turn into Judah. After all, flying into the air, smashing someone on the head, and following up with a cannon blast was really cool.

As soon as he finished thinking, the flames rapidly transformed into Judah.

Huang Hao said, "...Damn. It looks like it can transform as long as I say what I want.

"Wait, does that mean I can turn it into a sentient robot?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the flames transformed into a black, cube-shaped robot and landed on the ground.

Huang Hao said, "That's awesome. Hi there. I finally have some company."

Robot: "."

Huang Hao said, "Hello?"

Robot: "."

Huang Hao said, "So this thing is completely useless?"

Robot: "I can perform queries, move, and answer questions."

Huang Hao: "..."

"Can you say that in your original fire form?"

Robot: "Yes. I can transmit information directly into your brain."

Huang Hao said, "Then why didn't you tell me that earlier?"

Robot: "I have no memory. I can only provide guidance. Goodbye."

After that, the robot changed back into fire and returned to his hand. He could never summon it again, and Huang Hao felt like cursing. But he still had to keep moving, so he thought about it for a moment and continued on his way.

After walking for who knew how long, he finally reached the city. Huang Hao was deeply moved. He hadn't eaten or slept for days. Even if the Imaginary Tree had strengthened his body, he couldn't keep pushing himself like this.

Huang Hao said, "I finally made it. Big brother guard, could you let me in?"

Guard: "Please show me your identification."

Huang Hao said, "Huh? Big brother, you know there was a Honkai incident outside, right?"

Guard: "I know."

Huang Hao said, "I'm a victim. My proof was destroyed."

Guard: "Then you can't enter."

Huang Hao said, "Please be understanding."

After Huang Hao finished speaking, all that followed was a long silence.

Helpless, Huang Hao had no choice but to squat by the entrance and think of a way in.

There has to be some way to get inside, right? Huang Hao pondered. Right, this fire is so powerful. It shouldn't be difficult to forge some identification.

As soon as he finished speaking, an identification card sprang out of his hand.

Huang Hao happily jumped up and immediately handed the card to the guard.

The guard didn't even look at it and directly let Huang Hao enter. Huang Hao was dumbfounded. "Weren't you asking for identification?"

Guard: "I was."

"Then why didn't you look at it?"

Guard: "There are plenty of people who forge identification like you. Some even do it right in front of me. As long as I watch them make it, that's enough proof. I only make a few thousand a month. Why should I risk my life?"

Huang Hao said, "Then what are you looking at?"

Guard: "Professional integrity."

Huang Hao got angry—in the literal sense. Black flames instantly covered his entire body. A sword materialized in his hand, and he drove it straight into the guard's chest. The guard didn't even have time to react before he died.

Looking at his own hand, Huang Hao thought, Sigh, this fire has even altered my mindset. I don't feel any burden from killing someone. Still, I might as well try out that space.

In the white space he could see from his hand, the guard was looking around in confusion.

Looking at the corpse on the ground and the guard inside the space, Huang Hao thought, So only the soul—or consciousness—can pass through.

Huang Hao summoned black flames again and swallowed the corpse. He then used the flames to call the soul back. The flames transformed into a cube, and the guard was thrown straight out of it.

Guard: "Huh? Where was that white place just now? How did I end up lying on the ground?"

Huang Hao said, "Oh, you had low blood sugar. I got you some candy."

Guard: "Oh, thank you. Please come in."

Huang Hao walked in with a smile—well, more of a sinister grin—thinking, At this point, aside from cheats, no one can beat me. He felt extremely pleased with himself as he entered the city.

After entering the city, Huang Hao looked around in every direction. This was Honkai Impact 3rd, and the Previous Civilization's technology was far more advanced than that of Earth as he knew it.

Huang Hao found someone and asked about the concert. "Excuse me, where is the concert?"

Random passerby: "The concert? Eden's?"

Huang Hao nodded.

"It ended several days ago. You're way too late."

"Huh?" Doesn't that mean I wasted my chance to meet Kevin? Huang Hao thought to himself.

After thanking the random passerby, he found a nearby inn and stayed there. (Don't ask where the money came from. The answer is that Honkai Energy can do anything.)

Huang Hao began making plans at the table in the inn. I already know that as long as I kill someone, I can send them to that space. So why not just kill everyone and send them all there?

Huang Hao began experimenting. He ran downstairs and caught several insects, only to discover that the space was too small. Moreover, its capacity was determined not by the size of the objects, but by their number. And just as Otto had said, the world allowed consciousness to match with a new vessel, but it didn't allow a vessel to collect consciousness that had already dispersed. The fire had to kill them personally, or it couldn't collect their consciousness.

Huang Hao grinned. I'm going to be like Otto now. Villainy—I'll carry it into the grave. Light—I'll let it reach toward the future. I have to admit, this is pretty exciting. I wonder if my heart can take it.

It was time to begin.