Chapter 221

Judging from the timeline, it must have been after Elysia disappeared that most of the Flame-Chasers realized that a murderer was hiding in the Elysian Realm.

But the black crystal flower proved that Elysia had left clues beforehand.

Either Elysia knew about the existence of the Herrscher of Corruption beforehand, and then used her death to draw everyone's attention.

Alternatively, Elysia may have foreseen her disappearance long ago and left items for the others.

While the former is more reasonable, exchanging Elysia's death for the exposure of the Herrscher of Corruption is truly an unequal exchange.

Elysia wouldn't make such a losing deal.

Kiana: "Auntie, have you forgotten what I told you? Don't easily believe things like Flame-Chasers is dead; it might just come back to haunt you."

Theresa: "But, Vill-V must have really died just now, right?"

The crowd's attention gradually shifted and then fell on Vill-V.

Pardofelis: "Uh... Sister Vill-V, you're not kidding us, are you?"

She was heartbroken when Sister Vill-V disappeared, and she channeled her grief into strength by eating two large jars of snacks.

Vill-V: "Me? I think I've really disappeared. It's impossible to collide with almost half of the Vill-V without paying a price."

Bronya: "So, those Flame-Chasers are now officially announcing their departure include Chakravartin, Vill-V, Elysia... who else was there?"

After Pardofelis and Kevin entered the door where Kevin Annihilation Button, Mobius's words seemed even more suspicious, and for the time being, no one believed that she was really dead.

So, according to the calculations of the Herrscher of Corruption, only three Flame-Chasers have truly been eliminated.

Raiden Mei: "Actually, Elysia might not be dead after all."

Regarding the suspicious points about the crystal flower, whether Elysia truly perished remains to be discussed.

Elysia: "How can you think like that? I was the first one attacked by the Herrscher of Corruption. How could I have had time to react? After all, I'm not as powerful Flame-Chasers Kevin."

Kevin: "..."

Kiana: "What you said seems to make sense."

No matter how powerful Elysia is, she couldn't possibly have predicted that the Herrscher of Corruption would be the first to ambush her.

The chances of a Memory Body surviving Herrscher of Corruption are almost nil.

Raiden Mei: "What about the crystal flower? The crystal flower must be related to you, right? Don't tell me you don't know."

That jet-black crystal flower must have originated from Elysia. Since Vill-V has one, it's highly likely that other Flame-Chasers also have them.

They could be clues or hints, but one thing is certain: they are inextricably linked to Elysia.

Elysia: "Mei, your curiosity is as strong as ever. Do you really have to uncover a girl's little secrets?"

Pardofelis: "Um, Sister Elysia, this isn't a little secret."

This is clearly a huge secret that could potentially defeat the Herrscher of Corruption. There must have been a reason why Vill-V entrusted her to Raiden Mei at the last moment.

Elysia: "Well, I was hoping to keep you all even more curious, but since we've come this far, I have to reveal some clues."

Vill-V: "Anti-Kevin Armament Model 666!"

Elysia: "Vill-V, why did you blurt out what I was thinking?"

Vill-V: "Please have some understanding of me as Magician. Even I would feel frustrated if my surprises were always stolen by others."

No one paid much attention to Vill-V's quick answer; instead, everyone's attention was drawn to the question about Anti-Kevin Armament Model 666.

Kevin: "..."

Pardofelis: "Sister Vill-V, what's this super cool-sounding Anti-Kevin Armament? Can it really defeat Boss Kevin?"

Vill-V: "Of course, only it can definitely defeat Kevin, or more precisely, Kevin's Memory Body."

Kevin: "... Hmm?"

Did Vill-V's bizarre and seemingly useless Anti-Kevin Armament actually work?

Kevin started to take it a little seriously.

Vill-V: "Delete the entire Previous Era Elysian Realm with one click, whether it's Kevin or anything else, eliminate them all. Isn't this the perfect way to get rid of Kevin?"

Raiden Mei: "?!!"

Pardofelis: "Gurgle... Sister Vill-V, don't scare us."

Good grief, if you can't beat Kevin, you just delete Previous Era Elysian Realm? If you can't beat someone at chess, you flip the table. That's exactly the kind of person you are!

Although the existence of Anti-Kevin Armament Model 666 sent chills down everyone's spines, they also understood one thing: it could indeed kill the Herrscher of Corruption, and incidentally, it could also fulfill the function of Anti-Kevin Armament.

It's powerful and very easy to use.

[Q&A begins.]

[During the Herrscher of Corruption's development, who Herrscher of Corruption a fear of death?]

[A: Apponia.]

[B: Mobius.]

[C: Elysia.]

[D: Chakravartin.]

Chapter 358 Even when the atomic bomb exploded, they didn't dodge.

Kiana: "A fear of death... In other words, the Herrscher of Corruption isn't born with this emotion?"

The Herrscher of Corruption appeared in the Previous Era Elysian Realm is very special, unlike most Herrscher.

For example, Kiana and Raiden Mei both possessed their own thoughts, were infected by Honkai, and the Honkai Energy accumulated within their bodies, eventually leading them to become Herrscher.

Even the Herrscher of Corruption from the Previous Era were born because of Sakura's sister.

However, the Herrscher of Corruption that appeared this time seemed to have no physical form; she was merely a simple virus capable of infiltrating the data of the Previous Era Elysian Realm.

Such cases are so rare that they begin to wonder if this Herrscher actually possessed any thought from the very beginning.

Elysia: "It seems so."

Raiden Mei: "So, from the moment I brought the Herrscher of Corruption into the Previous Era Elysian Realm, it has been by my side, constantly experiencing, imitating, and even learning from me?"

Mei pointed to her face.

If we think about it from this perspective, does it mean that she raised this Herrscher of Corruption...? Ugh, how could she have such a strange idea?

Raiden Mei shook her head, quickly banishing the terrifying thought from her mind.

Sakura: "It might be more than that. The Herrscher of Corruption is the ultimate virus. If left unchecked, it will continue to replicate."

Raiden Mei: "But why haven't you discovered it yet? Putting aside anything else, Sue at least has the ability to do so, right?"

Enlightened One observes the world and comprehends the truth.

Given Su's meticulous observation skills, there's no reason why he wouldn't be able to catch the Herrscher of Corruption's tail.

Sue: "In reality, either I or Apponia would be able to grasp its true form; not even the tiniest detail would escape our keen eyes."

Su: "But in the Previous Era Elysian Realm, Memory Body are ultimately just data, while the existence of the Herrscher of Corruption is like a virus. Due to the limitations of their mode of existence, no matter how powerful their abilities are, it's all in vain."

Not to mention a high-level and troublesome virus like the Herrscher of Corruption.

Even though it possessed Raiden Mei and would hop around in front of them all the time, Sue and Apponia couldn't detect it.

Apponia: "It was my oversight. If I had sensed the danger sooner, perhaps I could have nipped the disaster in the bud."

Elysia: "Apponia, this isn't your fault. No one knows when disaster will strike."

Pardofelis: "Yes, we might as well think about who exactly frightened the Herrscher of Corruption into developing a fear of death."

Since it stems from a fear of death, the Herrscher of Corruption lurking within Raiden Mei must have come close to death.

We should start with Flame-Chasers, whom Raiden Mei had fought.

Bronya: "Chakravartin, Apponia, Mobius... three out of the four answers have fought against Sister Mei."

Raiden Mei: "Then let's find the one closest to death, Chakravartin!"

[Correct answer.]

The answer wasn't too surprising; the battle with Chakravartin was the closest Raiden Mei ever came to death.

Although Apponia and Elysia were there to protect her, Chakravartin had actually intended to kill her back then.

Chakravartin: "Fear of death? Ha, looks like a coward."

At least when Raiden Mei was facing him, she didn't show the slightest bit of fear on her face.

[Congratulations to Raiden Mei for winning the reward: Wine of Courage.]

[Synopsis: In this world, what is there to fear in courage and spirit? This is the Wine of Courage; just one sip, and you will be invincible, dashing and spirited, gaining unparalleled courage before you sober up. Even Herrscher of Corruption would dare to take a sip and charge head-on into Kevin's trap.]

[PS: If you drink this, you won't even need to dodge an atomic bomb.]

Raiden Mei: "Uh..."

A heavy jug of sake appeared in Raiden Mei's hands. The description seemed normal, and the name "Wine of Courage" had a unique charm.

But why did she feel like something was off?

Himeko Murata: "I've heard that the wine from the Shenzhou does indeed have this effect, with a powerful aftereffect. I didn't expect it could also grant unparalleled courage?"

Fu Hua: "No, Teacher Himeko, do you know what we call this kind of courage where we're from?"

What kind of Wine of Courage? You might fool laymen, but spouting nonsense in front of her is going too far.

Little Xuan: "What kind of 'Wine of Courage' is this? This is just pure drunkenness!"

Theresa: "But you didn't even dodge when the atomic bomb exploded, are you really that drunk?"

Danzhu: "Uh, maybe this wine is special. After all, it's a system reward, and it only lasts for one sip, so its advantage is that it's fearless."

You know what, if that were really the case, the effect would be truly remarkable.

Raiden Mei: "But what am I supposed to do with this? I don't drink."

Furthermore, Raiden Mei couldn't find common ground with the impulsive and reckless personality of the Mei, even though she was supposed to be a quiet and well-bred young lady.

Himeko Murata: "Um... Mei, if you don't want her, you can give her to me."

Theresa: "Himeko! You're still drinking?! If you drink again, I'll deduct your salary next month!"

Himeko Murata: "Tsk."

Teacher Himeko strongly suspects that Theresa is simply short of money and is trying to delay paying her wages under some pretext.

[The scene cuts back to the day Raiden Mei came into contact with the Honkai Consciousness, and the two stand facing each other.]

The surroundings were a vast expanse of white, completely deserted. What Raiden Mei didn't know was that in this space where only she and the Honkai Consciousness existed, there was indeed a third spectator.

The Herrscher of Corruption silently observed the scene before her.

The concept of information is the second one we understand after its birth.

Information is light; the light in their eyes reflects their appearance. Information is sound; the sounds in their ears bring about a conversation between the two.

All sorts of information are transformed and shaped in consciousness, and then become a choice.

Choose between corrupting the Will of Honkai or corrupting Raiden Mei.

Erosion is its innate instinct, like breathing; it's all so natural. It slowly moves towards its chosen goal.

However, nothing happened.

For the Herrscher of Corruption at this moment, failure is a concept they cannot yet comprehend, and therefore they cannot understand their own predicament.

Neither the Honkai Consciousness nor Raiden Mei are entities that the Herrscher of Corruption cannot corrupt.

But she still followed her instincts and moved forward step by step.

The scene then shifts, and the Herrscher of Corruption's gaze falls upon Klein's laboratory.

"Hmm, what's going on? Why can't we detect the signal from that unknown area anymore? And the Elysian Realm Path setup is a bit strange too."

Klein's hands flew across the keyboard, processing the abnormal information.

Chapter 359 The Arduous Survival Journey of the Herrscher of Corruption