Honkai, Survive

Belobog lies just beyond that curtain of snow. Now, the biting wind and snow, along with the swift passage of the Silvermane Guards, are rushing towards us. This is the necessary speed of reaction to resist Doomsday and the monsters of the Void.

A beautiful figure with a multi-spiral Roman curly hairstyle is commanding them, issuing orders: "In the name of the noble and supreme Amber Lord and the Great Guardian Cocolia Rand—Guards, capture them!"

"No, wait a minute!" March 7th exclaimed, her expression like a meme.

As expected, I'll be a wanted person now.

Dan Heng remained silent, glancing back at the snowfield behind him. When he disembarked from the Astral Express, he knew that only this city before them on this planet was warm; everywhere else was devoid of life.

To seal the Stellar Nucleus and clear the Star Rail, there was no turning back.

Clenching Gale, he looked at the stars again.

I'm truly sorry to expose you to such a scene on your first trailblazing journey, but sometimes combat is the final choice. The Nameless never shy away from that.

Especially since the Astral Express is currently out of reach.

The Stellaron Spirit was in position, looking excited.

It's not that it finds it thrilling, thrilling indeed. Compared to the Anti-Matter Legion, or even the Doomsday Beast, or the various trials in the Simulated Universe, what's happening now is small fry.

But this is trailblazing!

The Astral Express was stranded in outer space around a white planet. According to Himeko, the "Stellar Nucleus" had caused an obstruction that blocked the train's path.

To continue the journey, they had to clear the orbital obstruction caused by the "Stellar Nucleus."

Then, this trailblazing mission was handed over to her, a newcomer, along with two veterans, forming a "young trio" to explore together. March 7th had already given her plenty of experience along the way.

This is what trailblazing is like.

"What? You, you're not going to surrender and continue to resist the Silvermane Guards?" Gepard was shocked. Do you think I represent all of Belobog's military might? I am just a Silvermane Guard, without the power of the Great Guardian.

"You cannot win. Continuing to resist will only worsen your crimes. Outsiders, we can talk properly and resolve this misunderstanding!"

Although he didn't have the final say, he still wanted to mediate.

Firstly, it was all Sampo's fault, so he put aside his hostility. Secondly, these outsiders were too strong. The Silvermane Guards do not fear sacrifice, but this kind of avoidable sacrifice...

"We can't win at all. I don't understand."

Fang Jie felt that everything was strangely familiar, just like when he caused trouble with good intentions in Chang Kong City. Here in Belobog, he just joined a group, and Gepard was doing his duty, but the situation spiraled out of control...

Fortunately, this is Belobog.

We have to fight sooner or later. Little Grey Hair's story doesn't require as much careful handling as Kiana's. She's a "cool protagonist" type. Adversity? What adversity? Adversity is just there to highlight her heroism.

Well said.

The Stellaron Spirit gave Fang Jie's righteous stance a thumbs-up. He's a reliable teammate. I approve of you.

She's coming too—

"Rules are meant to be broken!"

March 7th really didn't want to, covering her face: "—Dan Heng!!"

Even if you call me like that... Dan Heng found it hard to maintain composure.

Only silence.

March 7th understood.

Now I have to stand with the Stellaron Spirit. I'm the senior—Super Little March is on the move!

"Damn it, you really think Little March is easy to mess with? Today I'll show you—anyone who dares to cause trouble for us will have bad luck!"

March 7th activated the Six-Phase Ice Armor.

She didn't even take these Silvermane Guards seriously. Although they were exceptionally skilled among civilizations in the galaxy that couldn't leave their home planets, it ultimately depended on who they were compared to.

Full of spirit, Rin couldn't help but laugh: "Kid, what exactly are you thinking?"

It could be said that Fang Jie bore a significant responsibility for this situation becoming so dire. It was to... prevent her from acting.

"Is it worth it? These people won't appreciate you, and neither will I. No matter how much you protect them, their dutiful appearance disgusts me. I will only crush them."

"Before you ask a question, perhaps you should consider if your answer has already been determined before the question is even asked?"

Fang Jie didn't look back. The situation had come to this. He had a hammer and saw a nail, not to mention his teammates.

He tightly gripped Jizo Mitama. Every time he touched it, it reminded him of someone. He could then delve into the Herrscher's authority without reservation, trusting that her will flowed within, blessing him and me.

—She is the true self, she is Aponia.

There was no need to fear being corrupted by Jizo Mitama.

"Rin, your homeland has been destroyed, and your civilization has turned to dust. You can't even mourn those lost moments because they originated from your hands. Now, the current civilization is burning once again... Do you still remember those people, those things? Do you still dream of them?"

Who knows? She's not Yae Sakura. They never slept together.

But he figured it wasn't just Fang Jie who was moved by the scene. He understood.

He even knew very well why he adapted so well to "Nihility." He figured Rin was similar, and Old Yang was even more of a heavyweight.

Not to mention him, he was "leaving his homeland," while she had "lost her home and country."

Fang Jie naturally had some doubts about life, but since he was already here, he looked around. The brilliant lights of the boundless dark starry sky were so dazzling. Kiana, Himeko, and so many, so many lights had always illuminated the past and the future...

There's nothing to be afraid of.

Rin remained silent. Fang Jie had finally brought these matters up with her. It was a bit early, and also a bit late. Perhaps there was never a right time, and it wasn't his place to bring them up.

The peace between them was fragile, born from mutual apprehension and a desire to avoid further conflict.

Belobog was fortunate; its savior had arrived.

Belobog was unfortunate; they had arrived.

Rather than send Rin back to the world of Honkai Impact 3rd, bringing with her unpredictable disaster, Fang Jie would rather use Belobog as a buffer. It was the lesser of two evils.

Dan Heng silently tightened his grip on Gale.

The situation... was normal. Exploration had always been accompanied by the unknown. The Astral Express had already confirmed beforehand; there were no Herrscher-level energy signatures.

If it were Welt, it would be different. If he knew, he'd probably grab his cane and go, fighting with all his might to at least contain the Honkai.

Fang Jie believed this wholeheartedly. He looked at the silent Rin and said, "Before this, I'd never actually seen you all in person. Rin, I'd only seen your stories through data, that elegy of a civilization's demise. Even so, now that I'm here, I can't help but wonder what kind of person I'm becoming."

A hero who saves the world?

That could be.

But he was afraid of hardship and exhaustion. Alone, he'd easily give up and quit. He couldn't even handle the cold weather before...

Now, his confusion had been cleared.

"This story isn't over yet, Rin. Your existence, your existence, proves that. And I want to make this world a better place. That's what I want to do."

"So I wonder, what will you continue to be?

"Because of me, you've become like this. What else will you become? A friend or an enemy?"

Fang Jie found it hard not to overthink.

If an enemy, fight them; if a friend, love them. He'd try to avoid the former. And beyond those two possibilities, there was also the future where she no longer wanted to live.

It was like...

Eden, the singer, had already passed away with the era in that fire. Her starlight had long since extinguished.

Eden, as Moth to Flame, had also chosen that path in the end.

She called it betrayal.

Some betrayed their beliefs, some betrayed their lives, and some betrayed humanity itself.

And Eden... betrayed the future.

She chose to go with Aponia, to be buried with that era.

Fang Jie couldn't help but worry about Rin. Just as no one would come into the world to die for Murata Himeko, he didn't want Rin to... bring about her own destruction.

Those who awaken to self-destruction always either rush towards Nihility or walk the path of the chaotic physician.

Of course, there was another possibility, but Fang Jie didn't have any deep-seated hatred for Nihility, so he'd let that one go.

He was planning ahead to prevent certain things from happening: "Since you've survived, this clearly isn't an era that doesn't need you. I'll take you home when you're truly ready."

"Until then, I have a responsibility to keep an eye on you. You are not allowed to kill everyone here, destroy this civilization, or obliterate this planet."

"Of course, I won't let anyone upset you either. I'll beat up anyone who gets in the way."

Chatting during battle, March 7th and the Stellaron Spirit perked up their ears, as if there was gossip.

Dan Heng, with his vast knowledge, was not surprised. Nothing new under the galaxy.

Then...

You guys are serious?

March 7th's eyes widened: "Belobog is about to be destroyed, don't talk about terrifying things so casually! Don't you want to be a Nameless? What role are you playing in Uncle Yang's hometown! Are you on Uncle Yang's side?

Seeing Rin, who was about March 7th's size, carrying an injured person... she's so powerful!

She could be even more powerful. Fang Jie couldn't quite gauge Rin's limits. But viruses... memetic viruses were still viruses. Combined with her ability to conjure Stigmata, she could continue to evolve. In the future, if she became paranoid and decided to pursue a 'dream,' she could use the people of Belobog as materials to reshape their perceptions, memories, and appearances into what she desired, altering this world and beyond.

She was even an immortal, capable of cycling through civilizations like the Honkai Impact 2 Stigmata terminals, starting over if she didn't like it...

That was definitely not what Aponia wanted!

Fang Jie shivered just thinking about it, regretting loudly telling her he'd send her to Honkai Impact 2 before. Such things shouldn't be spoken of lightly.

Rin broke her silence, a hint of mockery in her voice: "Do you think you can do it?"

She was free, freer than Fang Jie had imagined, able to go anywhere she pleased. Go back... No, she wouldn't!

"What right do you have to control me!"

"The right that I brought you here, and you've already become what Aponia expected." Fang Jie paid no mind to the Silvermane Guards charging in formation, nor the so-called Grand Guardian who hadn't arrived immediately.

His ability to control Rin was a kindness to Belobog.

Of course, bringing Rin here might also be a wicked deed.

"Don't you want Aponia to see you again? To tell her that her sacrifices weren't in vain, that you've grown into the person she expected, both a Herrscher and a human."

Fang Jie really liked Aponia, especially now that he had the confidence to become a Herrscher himself. How could he repay this gift from Aponia in the future?

Prepare a gift to make her happier.

While Raiden Mei's presence could bring joy to Aponia, Fang Jie felt it wasn't enough, not nearly enough. And Kiana, she had even treated Fang Jie to a meal.

As a Herrscher of the previous civilization, Rin, having rekindled the brilliance of humanity, should participate in that final moment.

Not just Aponia, but Kevin should see her too, and Su, and Hua... even Griseo.

This was the answer Fang Jie had already confirmed in his heart, before the question was even posed.

Let the unsung ballads begin to sing once more.

Continue the new chapter for the stories sealed in the dust of history.

Help the noble and pure soul embark on their journey.

— "Tragedy is not the end, but the beginning of hope."

Even if it meant sacrificing another tragedy, Fang Jie brought Belobog before the Honkai disaster it shouldn't have faced, all for the sake of one person's growth.

This might be why he would embark on the destructive Path of fighting Nihility.

And Yae Sakura was truly an afterthought. Fang Jie truly desired nothing from her, as long as she lived well. Theresa, you don't need to sacrifice yourself.

The more Rin paid attention to her, the more Fang Jie worried about what would happen when she woke up. Rin would... many terrible things in this world stem from fanatical love.

Rin remained silent, her small hands clenching and unclenching, before finally letting out a cold snort, "You speak well. Then prove it to me. They are an eyesore."

"Very well."

Fang Jie happily drew his sword.

Bronya Rand had already arrived with the Silvermane Guards.

"Surrender, rebels! As Acting Supreme Guardian, I hereby temporarily strip you of your autonomy of action and speech; you will have the opportunity to defend yourselves when the Judge Committee pronounces sentence."

A large number of automatons charged forward first.

"Sentient beings, receive the report of the blade. Severed Thoughts—"