Honkai, Survive

What are you looking at me for?

Fang Jie shook his head, not looking at Rin. "Me too. Peace is best. That also means Rin agrees."

He then pointed at the parts, which had been destroyed by the Stellaron Spirit after he controlled them, still bearing the Six-Phased Ice, and gave March 7th a meaningful look.

These were all...

"Alright, you don't need to say anything. It's good that no one objects," March 7th interrupted him, deciding to let it go. At least the two high-ranking Belobog officials who invited them had no objections.

Sampo is a heinous criminal!

Thus, despite a minor hitch, the group still arrived in Belobog.

Walking through the snow curtain, the warmth that greeted them was comforting.

"We've arrived."

Gepard's tone was filled with pride and honor.

"Welcome to the City of Preservation, Belobog."

"Wow, it doesn't feel as cold anymore!"

March 7th's spirits lifted, and she pulled out her camera.

Click, click, click!

Fang Jie didn't have such a thing, so he could only record it with his own eyes... He should be able to replicate it with projections.

Although he still had some concerns about Rin, he was still overjoyed to finally land in the warm city before him. "We're finally here."

It had been a long journey.

The city's residents also saw this group with complex identities, gathering in small groups and discussing amongst themselves. The main reason was that March 7th and the Stellaron Spirit's attire was too peculiar; they weren't wearing stockings, which brought a sense of novelty to this somewhat conservative doomsday fortress.

Gepard had no intention of wasting time. "Everyone, please follow me. That is the Clipper Fortress, the heart of Belobog, and the headquarters of the City Builders."

Originally, the Great Guardian was busy, and it would take time for Gepard to introduce them, so they wouldn't be able to meet until tomorrow.

But hadn't they just defeated Belobog's city defense forces? Delaying another day would surely be suspicious, implying a hidden ambush.

Were they going to take them there because they might... assassinate the Great Guardian?

Gepard hadn't considered such a thing.

"Ah, we're going already? I still wanted to experience the local customs. What do you guys think... Hey, Xing, what are you doing?!"

In the blink of an eye, the child had run off.

Her target was a trash can on the street. She rushed towards it, her curiosity overflowing, exuding an irrepressible sense of joy.

Fang Jie carefully memorized this precious scene and smiled knowingly.

"Slap~"

March 7th slapped his face, her expression helpless, in sync with Dan Heng.

"Let's go quickly, we need to meet the Great Guardian."

Local customs could wait.

Gepard had no objections and even planned to observe that trash can later – whatever a powerful warrior paid attention to must have its reasons.

This was the persuasive power of aesthetic strength.

Dan Heng had even fewer objections. Even if March 7th hadn't been rummaging through the trash, he was already used to it.

However...

"Are you guys planning to go together?" he asked, looking at Fang Jie and the silent floating entity, Rin, who had been quiet all along, with Fang Jie acting as her mouthpiece.

Moreover, Rin had been wary of them.

Dan Heng trusted his instincts. She had been vigilant towards everyone outside of Belobog, as if facing a great enemy, as if they might turn on her at any moment, beat her to her knees, and drag her back to the Prison of Servitude...

Fang Jie understood Dan Heng's meaning. After all, they were two separate groups, and even as outsiders to Belobog, they weren't exactly a cohesive unit. If they went together...

"I won't be going, and she won't either. We'll talk about it next time," Fang Jie had no intention of drawing Cocolia's Stellar Nucleus's attention. He had already learned his lesson from the "Honkai Will" once. "My goal is to board the Astral Express. It's not just that I have things to discuss with Mr. Welt; boarding the Astral Express was my initial objective as well."

"Our communication with the Express is temporarily interrupted. I'll contact you if there's any news," Dan Heng said understandingly. The galaxy was full of all sorts of people, and the Astral Express generally didn't refuse anyone.

"Then please follow me. I will arrange your accommodation."

Bronya had no objections to them splitting up and no intention of dividing them. However, she was happy to see them separate on their own. She then led Fang Jie and... his still-sleeping companion to the Goethe Hotel.

What? The little floating thing?

Bronya simply assumed she was some kind of mech carrying a patient, always bearing the sick, a truly helpful companion.

As the highest-class hotel in Belobog, the Goethe Hotel was located between the administrative and residential districts. Many Silvermane Guards patrolled nearby, which could prevent unnecessary trouble... specifically, Sampo sneaking in again to stir up trouble, provoke conflict, and commit evil deeds.

There was no need to say anything to Bronya, who was following them with a serious expression and a sore backside. Fang Jie allowed her to insist on handling his check-in procedures, even preparing three rooms for the Astral Express people, before she left with the Silvermane Guards.

Whether Fang Jie only needed one room was unimportant.

"Rin, is there anywhere you'd like to see? I know a bit about Belobog. I recommend visiting the Eternal Freeze Monument, or we could just wander around the hotel..."

No, I choose to sleep.

Rin stepped over Yae Sakura's sleeping face, returning a look of disdainful indifference.

Did she really need to ask what she wanted to know? She could just browse the local network freely.

Compared to those...

Fang Jie's previous words reminded her of the past, of a terrible guy.

"If you want to see it, go see it yourself. Why drag me along?"

"Fine, I won't disturb you."

Being given the cold shoulder was better than direct violence. She would leave it to the miracles tomorrow would bring.

Fang Jie, who believed in miracles, picked a chair and sat down with his back to the door. He propped his left hand on Jizo Mitama, closed his eyes, and concentrated, feeling the power of Erosion turn.

Such immense power couldn't be easily unleashed. Clones, dual forms, dimensional slash...

ps: Working hard to save drafts. New book seeking collections, recommendations, and monthly votes (?o?o)??

Chapter Twenty-Two: Trailblazing is an Unknown Path, Why Worry About Others' Suffering

Fang Jie meditated with his eyes closed, cultivating his spirit. He didn't know how much time had passed.

"I'm telling you, this is a brand new, interesting world! And Himeko and Uncle Yang aren't here, so we have to go crazy and have some fun!"

Before she could be seen, her voice was heard. March 7th's cheerful voice rang out from afar:

"Let's go, let's call Fang Jie too. We haven't properly introduced ourselves to him yet, although it seems like he recognizes us all..."

The moment the door opened, Fang Jie, whose back was to them, didn't turn around.

A powerful BGM started playing—

"Boom-hum~, ding-ding-dang-dang-ding-ding-dang-dang, boom-boom-boom, wah-wah-wah-wah-wah~"

Stellaron Spirit's eyes lit up, her golden eyes filled with the light of 'I learned it'.

March 7th choked for a moment: "Uh, that, what is that... is that also a tune from your hometown?"

She really wanted to praise him, but the humming Fang Jie was just too off-key!

"It's the favorite of the great 'Shi Bao'." Fang Jie had liked 'Shi Bao' even before she was born. He stopped humming, his tone suddenly filled with a cool, story-like quality:

"You've arrived."

"Yes, we've arrived. The Great Guardian arranged for us to stay at the most comfortable inn in the city to rest and sleep well, and then we'll discuss the 'Stellar Nucleus'. Tomorrow at noon, they'll send someone to invite you and discuss your matters properly. Come on, let's go out for a walk and talk. Don't you also want to be a Nameless? You can't just stay in your room all the time."

Cocolia's invitation?

Fang Jie was indifferent and continued to be cool: "You shouldn't have come."

"Ah, then I'll leave?"

Stellaron Spirit was polite and prepared to slip back to her room, feeling like there might be a wardrobe waiting for her there, perhaps even a Belobog demon.

"No retreating allowed," March 7th insisted, grabbing her. "Why shouldn't we have come? Oh, stop pretending and hurry up, let's go out and have fun together."

"Miss March 7th, I don't think you understand at all."

Even though they could connect on a deeper level, she insisted on ruining it. Little March wasn't giving him face.

"Understand what? This sudden, inexplicable feeling, I don't want to understand!" March 7th put her hands on her hips, exuding great presence.

Fang Jie finally stood up and turned around. The chair he was leaning on automatically... flew away: "Mr. Welt is still as young as ever, right?"

"Uncle Yang? Uncle Yang is young... Well, I can't say for sure." March 7th's expression was subtle.

"Speaking of which, I heard Uncle Yang was once the leader of a secret organization, saved a planet, was a teacher, and even drew original animation frames! Sigh, he's practically an alien... Have you heard about this?"

Alright, she had to admit, part of the reason she came to find Fang Jie was this curiosity.

To dig up some little secrets about an alien.

Fang Jie's face lit up: "You've come to the right person! This kid Welt, we watched him grow up! And now he's become a senior. I still remember many interesting stories from when Uncle Yang was little..."

Because he was too animated, little March choked, looking a bit disgusted: "You? How old are you! Wait, could it be that you also..."

Little March's suspicious.jpg

Little March looked up at the fifty-thousand-year-old expert.

"I'm at least a month old. As for more, perhaps around the same age as this 'Star'? I can't say for sure. My memory doesn't recall things I don't remember."

Fang Jie also dropped his act of being an elder. There was no need to argue with little March. He ignored her 'is that all?' expression and her eye-rolling, and looked at Stellaron Spirit.

"Mm, Star-baby."

Star pointed to herself, looking at Fang Jie with some uncertainty: "Are you like me?"

She was still dazed, having recently been a copycat mimicking human children's behavior, and had been dragged around by little March.

"March 7th is my sister!"

"You really seem to know a lot about us."

"Ah, is it that obvious?"

"You weren't hiding it at all, hey."

While the conversation was flowing warmly, Dan Heng, having finished checking the room for safety hazards, walked over. "March."

"Coming, coming! I was just inviting Fang Jie. We're going to check out that Eternal Freeze Monument March suggested later."

Dan Heng looked at Fang Jie. "You want to come too?"

"Sure. Rin, I'm heading out. You get some good rest too."

He still had to give her some freedom, even if she might... Fang Jie couldn't stop her.

There was no response, as if she had fallen asleep.

And so, the four of them wandered through Belobog. March 7th was taking pictures everywhere, while March was constantly drawn to unfamiliar things and would fall behind if not careful. Dan Heng, reading a book, kept an eye on the children, effortlessly managing the situation.

Fang Jie looked at everything!

He looked at Belobog, and he looked at the Astral Express. It was all scenery.

His mood gradually calmed. Even though Belobog was actually terrible, it sparked his interest in properly appreciating its shining moments.

They had arrived at the Eternal Freeze Monument.

This landmark in Belobog's upper city was located in the center of the plaza. It was composed of two elements: gears symbolizing knowledge and industrial power, and a giant ice crystal symbolizing the Eternal Freeze. It depicted a massive ice crystal being sealed by steel gears, symbolizing that the struggle between civilization and the Eternal Freeze had ended outside the sturdy city walls, and human civilization stood unyielding.

"Look, the shape of that ice sculpture is so unique! It feels strangely fitting for this city." March 7th became excited, her camera clicking away.