I'm Not a Flame-Chaser

Before them lay an incredibly vast plaza, at least the size of three football fields, suspended in mid-air like a floating island from a fantasy work.

Most importantly, in addition to the floating island beneath your feet, there are other floating islands of the same size scattered all around, connected together by a series of steps.

This is not a scene that could appear in the real world; it even feels like a dream.

As Lin looked around, he confirmed that this was the scene from the game. Some small details, such as the patterns on the floor and the small pebbles floating on the edges, were not in the game, but other than that, it was exactly the same as the scene he saw in the game.

"Kiana, can you sense where Seele is?"

Bronya asked Kiana gaze had been fixed on the spot since they arrived.

"... The space here is very complex. It doesn't feel like a unified space, but rather like it's been divided into small, different areas. The stairs are bridges connecting these different spaces. Although I can faintly sense Seele's presence, it's... so complicated. It feels like it could break at the slightest touch."

If Kiana, who is most sensitive to space, said this, then this space must indeed be very dangerous.

"Let's try to find it first." Lin took the lead. If we just guess without taking action, we can't do anything. Although this space looks like it has many interconnected paths, there is actually only one staircase between the floating islands. One floating island can only lead to two other floating islands. In other words, we can reach the end as long as we follow one path.

As Lin walked up the steps, he glanced down to see what the ground below the floating island looked like, but all he saw was a bottomless abyss, as if he would be swallowed by endless darkness if he accidentally fell in.

"Who did this this time?" Kiana asked Lin as they searched the stairs. He had dealt with almost all the Herrscher, so he should be able to figure something out.

But Lin just shook his head. He had never encountered this situation before, and it didn't match any of the Herrscher from the Previous Civilization.

Fortunately, Kiana was there, so they didn't have to worry about encountering any emergencies. She could bring them back at any time using the coordinates of the Anti-Entropy Salt Lake Base.

Having reached the end of the first staircase, they arrived at the second floating island, which was also empty. So they prepared to head to the third floating island.

But just as they reached the middle of the floating island—

"Beep—Welcome to the Herrscher Human Charge competition! Let's welcome our three new guests!"

What happened?

Large loudspeakers and screens rose up around the edge of the floating island, displaying images of Lin and his two companions. It appeared to be a live broadcast, with close-up shots of each of them on a separate screen, accompanied by descriptive text.

"The first one is—the third Herrscher of Reason, Bronya Zaychek! She inherited the Herrscher Core from the Anti-Entropy Leader, but her battle record is mediocre. However, her determination to save her younger sister Seele, whom she has known since childhood, is genuine. I wish her a brilliant performance on the field!"

"The second one is— Kiana Kaslana, the Herrscher of the Void! A fake name, a fake identity, a fake appearance! The culprit who caused the Great Honkai! But at the same time, she is also the hero who saved Sky City! A sinner who decided to inherit the name of her teacher as a hero! Will she redeem herself through meritorious service, or will she sink into oblivion? We shall wait and see!"

"The third one... is even more heavyweight! A warrior from Previous Civilization 50,000 years ago! He is also the host of the Herrscher of Binding! Even if his own civilization turns to ashes, he will ensure that a new civilization thrives in the ashes! A true hero in the fight against the Honkai! Let's welcome him with applause—Lin!"

"Pat-pat-pat..."

A continuous round of applause erupted from all around. Kiana and Bronya looked in surprise as seats rose up around them, and sitting on the seats were people wearing eye masks with gold patterns. They generously applauded and cheered for the three people in the center.

"What exactly is this...?"

Kiana looked around in bewilderment, while Lin, seeing the large number of people, had already confirmed his answer.

He whispered to the other two, "The Herrscher of Domination."

Both of them were shocked and understood the current situation.

"What do you want to do?" Bronya stepped forward and questioned the Herrscher of Domination, who was like a spectator. Cannon muzzles appeared behind her, and Lin and Kiana also drew their weapons. "Where is Seele! What did you do to her?"

"Um... First of all, I am the host for today, Ito Kyō. Miss Bronya seems to have some misunderstanding about us. Everyone, please answer what the purpose of our Thousand-Man Hero Group is?"

A man wearing an eye patch appeared on the screen holding a microphone. He pointed the microphone at the people outside the arena, and then everyone answered in unison—

"Fight against the Honkai!"

"What?" Kiana and Bronya listened to the deafening reply in surprise, thinking they had misheard.

Lin gazed solemnly at the Herrscher, whose smiles were uniform.

"So, you don't need to be wary. We are not your enemies. We can be your friends, comrades-in-arms, and helpers. Even if you need us as cannon fodder to fight against the Honkai, that's fine. We are just like you, beings who have broken free from the control of the Honkai."

"However, before that, we'd like to play a little game with you."

The corners of Ito Kyō's mouth, hidden beneath his eyepatch, curled up slightly.

Coral's "Reversal": Chapter Thirteen, Compiler Configuration... Bell is stealing your dumplings...

"What's the difference between searching aimlessly like this and looking for a needle in a haystack?"

Mei, followed behind Raven. Half a day had passed since they arrived at Coral Island to investigate, but apart from the people of Coral Island living in peace and contentment, they couldn't find any information about the Herrscher.

"Young lady, have a little patience. Rabbits don't just run into trees on their own. The most important thing to be a good hunter is patience." Raven, wearing sunglasses, surveyed the surroundings while speaking to Mei, whose cold and aloof expression had intimidated the passersby behind them. "That Miss Anna is quite good. She has very complete information on Coral Island, including population and recent unusual events."

Mei stopped under the streetlight and glanced at the crowd with a cold look. "The efficiency is too low."

The sun was high in the sky, but they couldn't feel any warmth. They couldn't find anything unusual, but Mei could always sense that something lurking around them was stirring.

"It's strange. If it's Herrscher, why is there no movement on Coral Island? And given Schicksal's personality, if he had discovered the Herrscher, he would have already taken over Coral Island from top to bottom."

Raven rubbed her brow. As suspicious as she was, she was more perceptive than most people in many ways. Perhaps her long life as a mercenary had honed her sense of the unusual.

"Bang!"

"——"

The loud noise drew their attention, and without even looking at each other, they ran towards the source of the vibration and noise.

"Target luring successful."

In the shadows, a pair of eyes quietly opened, sneering at the backs of the two figures.

"What's the meaning?"

Kiana didn't quite understand the purpose of the group of Herrscher sitting in the audience. Were they saying that they were also Herrscher were not bound by Honkai and that they also intended to fight against Honkai, and that they were actually on the same side as Kiana and the others?

"It means exactly what it says. We are not enemies, and we are willing to provide any help. After all, as saviors of humanity, we should help each other, shouldn't we?" Ito Kyō, the host, said with a smile while holding up the microphone. "Lin, who is next to you, knows very well that the Herrscher of Domination act as a group, so we value how to cooperate the most."

His righteous words drew cheers from those around him, who praised him for speaking so well.

"Then give Seele back to us first!" Kiana stared at the blindfolded man on the big screen. "Since you don't intend to become enemies, then return our comrade first!"

Ito Kyō waved his finger in a mock-sounding manner. "Wait, wait, wait, wait... Miss Kiana, don't be too impatient. Without patience, you won't be able to handle future situations. Our Thousand-Man Hero Group has the patience of a thousand people. You can't go wrong by learning from us."

"We can indeed be good friends who help each other, but the premise is that we need to know whether you are truly the minions of the Honkai, and whether your human appearance is just a disguise. After all, you... heh, you've killed so many people, haven't you?"

"..."

Kiana bit her lip, unable to refute the other party's veiled sarcasm and undisguised mockery. Just a few months ago, the global Honkai triggered by the awakening of the Herrscher of the Void within her was still having an lingering impact, and the number of people killed, directly or indirectly, was immeasurable.

"It's you who need to prove yourselves, isn't it?"

Bronya stepped forward and spoke sternly to the Herrscher of Thousand People in the audience.

"Anti-Entropy has been protecting humanity all this time, yet you kidnapped Seele. What are your true intentions?"

"Oh my, Miss Bronya, what a righteous and awe-inspiring sight." Ito Kyō shook his head with a click of his tongue and snorted. "But we didn't do anything to Seele. We just invited her here as a guest and conveyed our demands to her. And Anti-Entropy has been protecting humanity all along? Then may I ask, who triggered the Third Honkai War?"

Bronya was speechless for a moment.

The Third Honkai War Anti-Entropy Impact... was experimentally triggered by Anti-Entropy. The faction to which Bronya's mother Cocolia, belonged not only conducted experiments to Gem of Conquest and stole and killed the Wind Herrscher, but also created weapons powered by the Herrscher Core.

To argue against this by separating the relationship between Cocolia and Anti-Entropy would be a hypocritical approach, since the development of Anti-Entropy is also inseparable from the other faction.

"No matter how high-sounding your words are, if your actions contradict them, it's nothing but hypocritical nonsense. But we're willing to give you a chance to prove it. Just play a game and let us know that you are indeed fighting for humanity and for justice, and prove that you are not Herrscher. Then everything will be fine."

"I refuse." Lin Moran, who had been observing the situation, spoke up, crossing his arms and speaking coldly.

Getting into someone else's rhythm is a particularly dangerous thing; rashly agreeing only puts you in danger.

"Give Seele back, and then we can discuss it."

"Um..."

Ito Kyō cracked his knuckles, making a thinking motion.

Then, the surrounding audience burst into laughter along with him.

"Hahahaha... Well... Mr. Lin, you do have a good sense of humor sometimes." After laughing heartily, Ito Kyō cleared his throat and said to the calm Lin, "You seem to have misunderstood something. We are not asking you a favor, but demanding something from you."

"After all, those who endanger humans are the ones we are eliminating. Would you let a rabid dog that bites voluntarily choose whether or not to be put in a cage?"

"And Miss Seele is the prize you won in the game. We can assure you that she has not been harmed in any way."

"Smack."

After the snap, Seele appeared on the screen, walking alone and frightened on the deserted floating island, unable to find an exit anywhere.

"..."

Bronya breathed a slight sigh of relief after seeing that Seele was safe and sound, but she still looked at Ito Kyō with hostility.

"Miss Kiana, we know you can leave whenever you want—after all, you're the all-powerful Herrscher of the Void! But if you leave here, you might not see Miss Seele again~"

Lin said coldly, "Is this how you protect humanity?"

"This is how wisdom is used." Ito Kyō shrugged. "Letting go of Herrscher could potentially harm humanity is a much greater crime than imprisoning a girl."

"..."

This group of Herrscher of Domination has thought things through very carefully; it's clear they set up this trap long ago to lure Lin and his group into it.

"So, what game is it? Bronya accepts the challenge." Bronya stepped forward and said with a determined look in her eyes.

"Hmm, very good, very determined. As expected of the successor to the Anti-Entropy Leader. Before announcing the game rules and content, let's show you the game's rewards." Ito Kyō smiled mysteriously and took something out from behind his back.

Kiana and Bronya's pupils shrank to the extreme when they saw that thing.

"Miss Seele goes without saying, but as compensation for our suspicions, we'll give you this core of the Herrscher of Flames. How about it?"

The gleaming, burning gemstone in his hand resembled a dazzling sun.

The "Twist" in Coral: Chapter Fourteen - Chat Log Evidence Collection

"Where... did you get that thing from...?"

"You know very well, don't you?"

"..."

Yes, Kiana knows perfectly well.

For the past few months, Theresa has been searching for Himeko's whereabouts, Anti-Entropy has also mobilized manpower and resources to find the Valkyrie of the Herrscher of the Void, but all to no avail. The longer it goes on, the lower Himeko's chances of survival become.

Even if they were unwilling to admit it, they had long known that Himeko had embarked on a path from which she would never return.

The core is the Plague Gem embedded in the Key of Blankness that Himeko wore during her final battle with the Herrscher of the Void. Since it has appeared here, it means that the worst-case scenario has come true.

Kiana gazed at the core, as if someone's warm light emanated from the gem's edges and shone upon her, causing her trembling pupils to calm down.

"Wow, you're quite calm. You didn't panic even after seeing your teacher's belongings." Ito Kyō nodded with a smile.

Kiana stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "I'm no longer that little girl who cries all the time."

"Oh~~" Ito Kyō exaggeratedly pouted and clapped her hands slightly, "She really is a strong girl... just kidding."

The conversation took an abrupt and ruthless turn, catching all three people in the room off guard.

The blindfolded man raised the Plague Gem in his hand and shouted fiercely towards the audience, "Everyone saw that, right? This is Herrscher, a cold-blooded, ruthless, and inhuman monster. Even if his own teacher's relics appeared in front of him, he wouldn't be swayed in the slightest!"

A murmur of disapproval immediately arose from the audience, and someone stood up, waving at Kiana and scolding her. "Unfilial student!"

"If it weren't for your teacher saving you, you would have been killed by Schicksal long ago! You ungrateful monster!"

"The Herrscher killed so many people!"

"A counterfeit product that stole someone else's name!"

The shouts and curses came crashing down like a tidal wave. Kiana hadn't even recovered from her grief when she was overwhelmed by the barrage of insults and stood frozen in place.

"It's a pity that one contestant was eliminated right away." Ito Kyō sighed deeply, frowning and spreading his hands towards the camera. "That damned Herrscher, still so annoying. But it's okay, our Thousand-Man Hero Group came here precisely to slay this kind of monster..."

"Hey, what are you guys talking about?"

The cold, monotone voice drew everyone's attention. In the empty square, a petite figure stood with her hands behind her back, staring at the audience and the Herrscher of Domination on the screen as if they were a bunch of idiots.

Bronya stood before Kiana, her lowered eyelids revealing an extremely fierce gaze, as she spoke each word with ruthlessness—

"Why do you describe Kiana like that just because she wouldn't be swayed by Himeko's belongings?"

"Why?! Listen to this! A Herrscher is asking someone why they describe her like that! Hahahaha..."

Ito Kyō suddenly raised his voice, and then he and the audience burst into laughter under the indifferent gazes of the three men, laughing so hard they seemed to have heard the funniest joke in the world.

Even though Lin and his companions didn't understand why the other person was laughing, it seemed that the other person was trying to demonstrate their ease and superiority through this gesture.

"Just because you're Herrscher! Is it strange for Herrscher to do something like this? Enough already!" Ito Kyō pointed to the ground beneath his feet. "Isn't that enough? He's just an ungrateful Herrscher!"

"You..."

"Smack."