Honkai, Survive

So there's no need to think too highly of it; this single-molecule saw blade isn't without its weaknesses. For instance, pure single-molecule materials are very brittle.

The most common similar material in nature is diamond—incredibly hard, yet also very brittle.

It's easy to see that it's not suitable for defense, but it's different with a force field.

Fang Jie picked up another fragment, this one from the 'Bastion'. He thanked Gepard for his generous contribution, which allowed Fang Jie to easily compare the two.

With a gentle collision, a series of sparks flew... and finally, the single-molecule saw blade bounced back.

"Materials utilizing strong nuclear force are still superior," Fang Jie said, his expression unreadable.

Yes, this 'Bastion' was entirely constructed from strong nuclear force materials. Its surface was absolutely smooth, its temperature was near absolute zero, and it was nigh-indestructible. It was wielded by Gepard in combat, and then shattered by a Stellaron Spirit.

Nigh-indestructible was just for show. Paths are that powerful, capable of dimensionality reduction attacks.

Setting aside the Stellaron Spirit, comparing just the Bastion and the single-molecule saw blade, the former was undoubtedly stronger.

This wasn't a superiority in materials, but rather in the construction of the force field.

Compared to the single-molecule saw blade, the molecular motion of the materials composing the Bastion had almost completely stopped. This is what allowed its surface temperature to approach absolute zero. Furthermore, the compression of atoms by the strong nuclear force resulted in a very orderly arrangement of its outer shell, creating its near-absolute smoothness.

After all, it originated from the City Builder's technology. It wasn't considered outdated even by the Company, and it's the fundamental technology for various force fields used throughout the galaxy. Don't be fooled by Fang Jie's shocked expression; he could do it himself.

By extracting the internal electromagnetic force of matter, he could similarly lock atomic gaps and create similar materials.

Otherwise, how could he judge that his biological force field, when fully activated, could withstand a planetary explosion?

It's precisely because his internal force field, when fully active, can constrain particles to the point of almost no vibration, making it naturally indestructible.

Bianca did it too!

Bianca also fell.

Regardless of which world you're in, "indestructible" is just a phrase written for show.

"I can only say that only the unchanging is eternal; even the laws of physics can be rewritten."

Finally, Fang Jie took out the Jizo Mitama. It was forged from Soul Steel, an Erosion Core, and the 'body' material of the Herrscher of Corruption, mixed with a large amount of Path energy.

There's no need to delve into the specifics of the Herrscher of Corruption. It's not a material confined to real-number reality but a manifestation of Imaginary singularities condensed into real-number reality. In a sense, it is truly indestructible.

Well, as long as the corresponding inner Imaginary structure isn't destroyed.

Fang Jie didn't want to complain. He silently felt the Soul Steel, which he had experienced many times before—a material existing as a nanobot cluster, unremarkable. Its advantages were its resistance to Honkai energy and its self-repair capabilities, much like a human.

For Honkai energy, the human body is the best carrying material. Compared to it, the efficiency of mechanical utilization of Honkai energy is only one-third that of the human body. Simultaneously, both face continuous destruction through constant Honkai.

Humans are eroded into Death Troopers, and machines age.

For Paths, carrying and utilizing is also a difficulty. Why couldn't the single-molecule saw blade go further and directly use the force field structure like Gepard's 'Bastion'?

It's not impossible that after the Emperor's War, the Company's fear of automated machinery that doesn't require human control limited development in this area. However, there's also the limitation that the Bastion requires 'will-driven energy' to generate its force field.

To put it more directly, compared to Automaton powered by Subterranean Vein, the Bastion is powered by Gepard.

This matter is also recorded in 'Belobog Martial Arts'. The Company's dangerous prosthetic technology was discontinued due to its compatibility with Path energy, and the Gram Cavalry directly used the 'driver' as their power source.

"This is what I want: a controllable carrier that can fully withstand the output of my 'engine'. The key is controllability."

Fang Jie had never attempted to use his internal energy at full 'Destruction' power. Instead, he indirectly borrowed the power of Honkai, which was merely using the power of the Jizo Mitama.

Himself?

Sealed.

Sealed with 'Nihility', and 'Destruction' was also sealed.

"For safety's sake. After all... my energy seems to be higher than the Jizo Mitama's."

Perhaps the Jizo Mitama hadn't eaten enough. It hadn't had much in years, only absorbing a bit of Honkai energy in Chang Kong City, which he then repeatedly absorbed...

If possible, he even wanted to seal the Jizo Mitama, at least to show Rin his stance.

Using this thing... everything has a price. The first to be eroded was himself. His pure and pristine body became tainted.

Rin, who also disliked him, silently watched him devour his own biscuits while reading, her gaze becoming more and more distant, like a grudge recorded in a little black book.

Outside the window, today's Belobog was as lively as ever, with people laughing and smiling.

Frankly, the order here was a bit too good. In other places, let alone with the apocalypse approaching, people would jump off buildings for losing their fortunes in the stock market. Some would even take their wives, children, and even their newborn babies with them in suicide.

Compared to that, Belobog wasn't that bad; it was above the galactic average.

Just as Fang Jie was thinking this, a disturbance appeared near the passage connecting to the lower district.

Ps: Good morning, afternoon, and evening, friends. No other meaning, just a greeting. I hope you all have a happy day (?o?o)??

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Shine, You, See-See-Seele~

"Surrender, Bronya! I will ensure you receive a fair trial."

Serval didn't know how she managed to say those words, but she had to. Facing Bronya, who was returning with difficulty from the lower district—she had just taken a batch of supplies there to distribute after a long blockade.

Frankly, Serval couldn't even imagine what the lower district, from which even the Silvermane Guards had withdrawn, looked like now. To whom Bronya would hand over the supplies was also a blind spot in Serval's knowledge.

The only thing she understood was that Bronya now had only one path: to go to the lower district.

But Bronya didn't understand. Shocked, she asked, "Why would Mother put out a warrant for me? I don't understand. I want to see her! Clearly—"

No, you can't.

Seeing Bronya's state, Serval hardened her heart. "You colluded with rebels intending to infiltrate Belobog. You and Gepard are both criminals. He's already fled and disappeared. We've confirmed he's not in the upper district, and this is the only path from the entire Belobog down to the lower district. How can you claim innocence when you impersonated the Great Guardian's orders to open the blockade? I must carefully consider what schemes this traitor has—Guards, seize her."

The Silvermane Guards were as confused as Bronya, but the order had been given.

"Commander, please cooperate."

They stepped forward to apprehend the important figure. Bronya hadn't intended to resist until she heard the absurdities Serval spoke—rebels infiltrating Belobog? And Gepard had defected too? I impersonated orders?

"What on earth happened? This... wait, I didn't impersonate any orders, Mother ordered me..."

There was too much she couldn't comprehend, so Bronya... simply argued, not resisting.

Serval had anticipated this and was prepared.

An old figure suddenly rushed out:

"Miss, run! If you go with them, you won't see Cocolia..."

"Seebass?"

Bronya saw him—it was the butler from her home. He seemed to want to convey something—

"How troublesome."

Serval turned and delivered a flying kick. Her high heel struck the chin of the well-dressed old butler, who had cared for Bronya for years, sending him flying.

Even so, he desperately called out, "Run, Miss, run! Bronya, don't get caught, absolutely don't..."

"Shut up."

With a vicious stomp, Serval, who had re-donned her military uniform, coldly and ruthlessly trampled the old man into the gray snow.

"Stop it!"

Bronya tried to step forward but was utterly powerless. The Guards executing the arrest order didn't use excessive force, but they didn't hold back either.

Just as she was about to be bound...

"Commander, run, go find the Captain!"

Another group of Guards suddenly appeared behind her, rushing to block the Guards arresting Bronya, and a fight broke out.

"Go quickly, Commander Bronya!"

"This..."

Bronya didn't know what was happening, but she understood their calls. Gepard...

"I will definitely return!"

So she turned and walked towards the lower district, as if she had made a certain decision.

"Don't run!"

The pursuers behind her continued their chase, seemingly relentless even as they descended into the lower district. Serval glanced into the dark depths, then lowered her head and exhaled, not calling off the infighting Guards. She let those who aided Bronya be captured.

The gazes of those around her were incredibly complex. If not for the surname 'Landau,' she would likely have been seen as part of a heinous rebellion.

Being a Landau didn't help.

In a sense, dismissing a Silvermane Guard commander, arresting a proxy Great Guardian, and isolating the current Great Guardian from the outside... Belobog's seven-hundred-year history wasn't without its share of similar noble rebellions. Even the Great Guardian becoming a puppet or the proxy Great Guardian being assassinated wasn't unprecedented.

Serval was merely repeating history.

How will I be recorded by history?

If Belobog even has a history.

Cocolia, what sliver of hope are you trying to grasp? And what can we still do?

She was lost.

Thump, thump...

Behind her, heavy footsteps, as if deliberately stomping, approached.

Serval turned and saw Fang Jie again. He smiled at her, walking on the wall at a ninety-degree angle, unstained by the blood and snow on the ground, heading towards the dark depths of the lower district.

Behind him, Rin was floating normally.

She was carrying Yae Sakura on her back, following Fang Jie to 'find a doctor.'

Rin showed no emotion at the sight of the Guards fighting—they were just ugly puppets, manipulated by others, without thought or will, no different from rotten wood or stone.

Fang Jie, to prevent her from seeing unpleasant things, chose to act personally, keeping everyone busy to facilitate the organization of this doomsday winter city, aiming to leave behind a clean new world.

Rin didn't care and wasn't concerned.

Serval silently signaled the Guards to move aside. This bizarre scene was witnessed by everyone, openly.

"It's a bit rough. If they find out..."

At least March 7th would glare at him fiercely.

But compared to those consequences...

Fang Jie was already walking upside down on the ceiling of the passage. Before leaving, he had specifically taken a shower and changed into clothes that, at first glance, looked local—a black bodysuit that fit snugly, similar to the Gram Cavalry's combat uniform, with a white half-coat over it, reminiscent of the Silvermane Guards. However, it had no insignia or adornments, just the interweaving of pure white and plain black. Even as he walked away upside down, there was no hint of imbalance, and he gradually faded from view.

"The fool always rings twice is a quote I like; repetition and the inevitable execution of civilization. People always need omens, repeated omens, to truly realize that something is about to happen, and that it will inevitably happen again."

In the darkness, Serval heard his voice.

"The only lesson humanity learns from history is that humanity learns no lessons."

She could vaguely detect disappointment in his tone, as if he was disappointed that Fang Jie didn't dare to truly rebel against Cocolia.

The lower levels of Belobog were as dark and shadowed as Fang Jie had imagined, and the air was quite murky.

But it wasn't quiet at all; it was unusually noisy.

Emerging from the cramped passage, he found himself in an area resembling a platform, a place where goods were unloaded for exchange between the upper and lower levels. Because Bronya had transported a batch of supplies not long ago, a fight was breaking out here... a brawl?

Two groups of people were fighting, scrambling for and guarding the supplies.

"See, humans are like trash."

From above, and as she entered the fray, Rin's expression was inexplicably cheerful, which frankly wasn't a good sign.

"You were hoping those people would come here, weren't you? You wanted to see how many people would be willing to come here, but the outcome clearly doesn't satisfy you."

She mocked Fang Jie for not understanding humans.

"I didn't."

Fang Jie hadn't even asked Cocolia to send Gepard or Bronya down; he didn't expect that. This was all Cocolia's doing.

Serval was even more of a wild card; who knew what she was thinking.

But Rin didn't care. "Do you know about Twilight Street? I heard my sister mention that place, but Uncle Kalpas never talks about it."