Honkai, Survive

As a Schicksal warrior, Himeko also had a side where she'd throw a tantrum when asking for funds.

And afterwards, you wouldn't be shortchanged.

Fang Jie understood immediately: "Then come over here, closer."

His energy control level wasn't actually that high. During combat, all those flashy things were just special effects. He relied entirely on his unadorned speed and strength, as well as his durable composite blade, Willow Leaf, to display his aggression.

'Psychic abilities' were a separate matter. This innate power, which he could control at will, was more natural to him than breathing, and it was currently his greatest source of combat strength.

It was just that there were many restrictions, and Fang Jie himself didn't want to rely on it too much.

There was no reason why.

Subconsciously, instinctively, and from the bottom of his heart, he was familiar with this power but refused to rely on it further.

In short, as Himeko stumbled closer, Fang Jie extended a hand: "Hold my hand tight."

His other hand still gripped Sato Yuno, not letting go. If she harbored any ill intentions, she would bear the consequences herself.

Raiden Mei had only managed to establish mutual trust with people other than herself and Kiana by implanting a bomb in her heart. Sato Yuno's power was too dangerous and shouldn't be underestimated.

This was for her own good. By not giving her an opportunity, it only proved that Fang Jie didn't intend to kill her.

The current civilization's main feature was betrayal. When fighting Honkai, Herrschers were always the vanguard. She, a clear-headed Pseudo-Herrscher, was no exception.

As for being too outwardly affected by Honkai energy...

Referencing Seele, a good beating and re-education would suffice.

Himeko was somewhat perplexed by this. Frankly speaking, a Herrscher, one who had proven her threat even before fully developing, she... tended towards eliminating future troubles.

But Sato Yuno was captured by Fang Jie, and she was also poisoned. Thus, Himeko decided not to interfere for the time being.

Extending his left hand, Himeko felt Fang Jie's unexpectedly cold hand grip hers after the intense battle. Then, a power... difficult to describe, but warm, flowed towards her.

Was it Honkai energy?

It was somewhat similar, but... no, it was too gentle.

It flowed into her body without any discomfort, and even her body, which had been eroded by Honkai energy due to the artificial Stigmata and suffered pain that made her prefer alcohol over coffee, felt a long-lost ease under this warmth.

"This is..."

Himeko found it difficult to describe the feeling. There was a silent emotion that touched her soul, blessing her.

Fang Jie's eyes sharpened.

He wasn't actually a true Pathstrider. His ability to siphon Path energy from the Domain Anchor relied entirely on his psychic abilities. Later, he even used Honkai energy as a catalyst for development, crudely damaging his own body to passively trigger Path energy enhancements.

But at this moment... the blonde guy saw the female lead's affection for the male lead.

Pah, pah, pah! He wasn't a blonde guy!

However, the activity of the Path energy was indeed unprecedented, and in turn, it gave Fang Jie a sense of pioneering, true pioneering.

And that was it.

He looked at Himeko, who seemed a bit lost in thought, his gaze sharp.

'I want you to help me cultivate!'

But not now. He couldn't remember. If he did, he would definitely be thoroughly manipulated by this woman, who was good one moment and bad the next. She was thick-skinned, and he couldn't outplay her. In the future, she would be invincible.

Fang Jie simply continued to stare at Sato Yuno, putting pressure on her.

The Path energy was also prepared to probe within her... With Himeko's help, his control over this power suddenly increased by a level, allowing him to perceive more.

Therefore, Fang Jie was interested in the Pseudo-Herrscher core.

Sato Yuno trembled all over. It was difficult to describe the feeling of being touched, as if her heart had been squeezed. For her now, the Honkai core was even more important than her heart.

Uncharacteristically, ignoring the pressure of the blade, she struggled and resisted...

Useless.

A blonde guy appeared! Fang Jie intruded forcefully with great interest. He saw it, he saw it.

It was similar to a Honkai Beast, yet completely different. The Honkai core, which truly existed within Sato Yuno's heart, not only stored Honkai energy but also encompassed her authority as a Pseudo-Herrscher.

Just like Wendy implanting the Gem of Desire, after acceptance, one could wield Herrscher authority. Fang Jie pressured Sato Yuno's consciousness, forcibly squeezing into her core authority and seeing a new world.

He also mastered Honkai energy, although it had probably been so thoroughly washed by Path energy that Honkai no longer recognized it.

That wasn't important!

At this moment, Fang Jie understood the knack for manipulating Divine Keys – did the Divine Key truly want to be used by you?

But it didn't matter, as long as Fang Jie acknowledged it. He didn't even insist on developing a core to contain Honkai energy or master its authority. What he needed was this 'energy circulation' mechanism, referencing this mature system.

As Sato Yuno's resistance became more apparent, and he could even sense when she would lash out and injure him, Fang Jie withdrew his energy, allowing her to catch her breath and calm down.

This was the real apology, not some dry "I'm sorry."

Fang Jie was satisfied and looked at Himeko with lingering interest.

The latter also gradually came back to her senses and gave him a flirtatious glance, her eyes sparkling and full of charm, causing Fang Jie to retreat...

He was shy.

"This feels great, kiddo... what kind of technique is this?"

Himeko was incredibly enthusiastic, not just for herself. The after-effects of the Valkyrie surgery weren't just her burden; everyone who underwent the artificial Stigmata procedure faced a significantly shortened lifespan and the ultimate fate of becoming a Death Trooper, even with nearly a fifty percent success rate.

Any 'miracle cure' for these after-effects was worth her relentless pursuit.

"Ababa~"

Fang Jie didn't want to lie to her, so he feigned ignorance.

Himeko wouldn't be easily fooled, but she kindly decided not to press further. They could discuss collaborations later. The immediate priority... she looked at Sato Yuno, her gaze turning serious.

A Herrscher.

She didn't quite understand the difference between a Herrscher and a Pseudo-Herrscher. After all, Sirin had set a high bar, and the Pseudo-Herrschers she created weren't significantly different from true Herrschers.

Sato Yuno was even more special.

"Kiddo..."

As Himeko pondered how to negotiate, she suddenly saw Fang Jie's smug expression freeze.

Simultaneously, a subordinate's warning crackled through the comms: "Major Himeko, a strange Honkai energy signal is approaching! It's... also a Herrscher!"

What the heck?

Her mind hadn't even processed it before her body reacted. The rigorous training had banished the comfortable relaxation she was feeling. Without a second thought, she entered combat mode, following Fang Jie's gaze, and saw...

A fox?

More accurately, it was a woman dressed in a one-shoulder witch's outfit.

With pink fox ears atop her head, she stood on the ruins covered in nameless flowers, gazing at them with a smile that carried a faint fragrance. No, she was looking at Sato Yuno. Licking her lips with evident pleasure, she drew the katana at her waist.

"Everyone, why are you looking at me like that? Do I look that frightening?"

She waved the katana with a smile, as if familiar with its feel, then glanced sideways at them, the blade pointed their way.

"Don't be nervous. I'm here to help you fight the demons."

Demons? Who? Sato Yuno? She thought Fang Jie was comparing herself to Sato Yuno?

Fang Jie just felt... as expected, Chang Kong City was cursed.

Sato Yuno, who had suddenly evolved, and the sudden appearance of... Yae Sakura?

It was strange. Without the awakening of Kallen's essence, she wasn't Yae Sakura, nor Ling-mei, nor even Flying Fish Maru, but Higokumaru!

What kind of Herrscher battle was this?

"I've planted a bomb in your core. It's okay if you don't understand what a core is; just think of it as your heart. What you need to know is that if you make any hostile move, I'll detonate it, and you'll die."

Fang Jie spoke, then silently released Sato Yuno, whose Honkai energy was dwindling. He freed his hands, preparing for battle. "Himeko, be careful. If possible, please call Theresa for support as soon as you can."

From the moment she met the unfamiliar Fang Jie not long ago, Himeko had gained little insight, yet she deeply realized this person held many secrets.

He inexplicably knew about Raiden Mei and Kiana, seemed to anticipate the presence of Herrschers in Chang Kong City, and possessed technology that even Schicksal didn't have...

By any measure, he was suspicious to the core.

But, he seemed like a good person.

And now, his expression was so grim. What was this fox? And was she the Herrscher they detected?

She wasn't as tense as Fang Jie. Having weathered many storms, this was just another battle.

As for calling Theresa...

"I'm afraid, kiddo, you know that's impossible," Himeko rejected Fang Jie's suggestion without hesitation.

Fang Jie understood but didn't want to accept it. "Then we're doomed."

The 'Yae Sakura' fox, who had been watching, chuckled. "Oh my, you don't trust me? It seems I'll have to defeat you all and slay the demon. Are you ready?"

It wasn't a question or confirmation; she had already vanished, chasing the echo of her words, arriving before them.

Watching the 'Yae Sakura' flicker and disappear, Fang Jie couldn't even see where she was... only hearing the ear-splitting crash of collision.

First strike!

It was Himeko.

She was sent flying. It was unbelievable, given the significant difference in their weight classes, and Himeko even had armor augmentation.

Though she was as weak as Theresa and nearly got into trouble, she was definitely not weak.

After a slight enhancement with Path energy, both her body and mind were adjusted to their best state ever. An A-Rank Valkyrie had advanced to A+, transforming the space she occupied into a virtual void, triggering a time fracture, and in the nick of time, she blocked the incoming katana.

And then she was sent flying.

Damn it, what kind of Herrscher was this?

Second strike!

It was Sato Yuno.

The blade aimed directly at her Honkai energy core. 'Yae Sakura's' target was clear.

Fang Jie could only see her attacks but couldn't react; he was suppressed. His only commendable attribute, speed, was completely outmatched. It wasn't just a little faster.

"Where are you looking?!"

Major Himeko roared, charging through a slow, blue world with incredible speed.

'Yae Sakura' had no choice but to change tactics and counter-slash.

One fought with fiery blades, the other with surging sword energy, clashing together with no choice and no room to maneuver.

And so, a small accident occurred. Himeko ended up fighting the Herrscher-class opponent she had long mentally prepared for, fighting the correct battle.

Chapter 14: Stabbed, Then Unlocked New Form

Himeko fell.

Fang Jie was powerless to stop it; he could barely keep up with the combatants' pace. It wasn't like a normal person watching stand users fight and not seeing clearly, but more like a strong bystander watching someone with 'Instant' fight someone with 'Time Stop'.

He could only stand by and watch, unable to see clearly.

Yae Sakura's martial arts were forged from the imprints inherited from 'Instant' within her body; Himeko's A-Rank status was achieved solely through effort and sacrificing her life.

Especially when she used her Valkyrie battlesuit to pseudo-ize and shatter spacetime. For Fang Jie, who was in real space, this combat environment was like afterimages accelerated countless times.

The last thing he could see clearly was Himeko stumbling, 'slowly' falling back into real space and struggling to stand upright—her fighting spirit still burned, her gaze resolute and unyielding, overcoming her physical injuries...

She couldn't win.

This was a fact that even Fang Jie could see.

Higokumaru arrived too quickly, like a fisherman watching a snipe and clam fight, reaping the benefits immediately. Himeko had no idea what she was truly facing, only having the impression that her opponent was a Herrscher and that she was fast and powerful.

But her true power was the authority of [Erosion].

"Haa—!"

Fang Jie heard Himeko's roar. She swung her Nuclear Fusion Greatsword again, this time futilely, transforming it into a battleship blade that covered everything in front of her, completely destroying the jungle nest constructed by Sato Yuno.

Useless.