Chapter 242
No matter how you look at it, what follows is a hellish challenge. Fortunately, the dungeon penalty is just to experience the pain; no one will die.
Vill-V: "I asked you to get Kevin to help with the experiment before, but it didn't work out. Now you really can't escape it."
Although Vill-V had previously stated that whether they could kill Cosmo after fully unleashing their Hypermutation Overload state was still up for debate.
But now that she knows he's about to go toe-to-toe with Kevin, Vill-V had no choice but to show a sad smile.
She hadn't even done anything yet, and Kevin's stats from his all-out effort were already there.
All I can say is that I hope Cosmo won't be traumatized by this experience.
Elysia: "Kevin, don't you want to say anything at a time like this?"
Kevin: "... Go."
A flash of white light, Cosmo wasn't even mentally prepared before being teleported into the challenge instance.
Chapter 392 A Deadly Attack Upon First Meeting
"Call."
Knowing that he was about to challenge Kevin, Cosmo took a deep breath and slowly raised his head.
Boom!!!
As scorching flames engulfed his eyelids, Cosmo was completely stunned.
Kevin had already finished charging up his power, and a fully charged An-Utu, accompanied by a firestorm, swept towards the face of the Cosmo. Kevin, in his Kevin during the challenge dungeon, showed no mercy.
Those outside the venue were unaware of what was happening there.
Except for one Valkyrie has already experienced it all.
Durandal: "What's going on? Cosmo hasn't returned yet?"
Several tens of seconds had passed. Unlike before, Durandal Cosmo mustered all her strength to take on the challenge, Cosmo hadn't even had time to prepare for this punishment challenge.
According to Durandal's prediction, if he had been hit by that [greeting gift], even Flame-Chasers would have lost most of his fighting power on the spot.
Sue: "It should be soon."
A short while later, Cosmo returned to the Death Space, completely unharmed, as if he had just gone on vacation.
But his dazed look, his silence, and the fact that he had been sitting in the same spot ever since he returned proved that Cosmo's mood was definitely not calm.
No one dared to ask, it seemed that Cosmo was probably depressed after the beating and needed time to recover.
Cosmo was definitely not willing to speak for the time being, so they could only turn their attention to Kevin.
That said, no one has ever seen Kevin go all out yet.
They were incredibly curious about what had happened in the challenge dungeon to turn Cosmo into what she was now!
Kevin: "?!"
Kevin was completely baffled.
What does Kevin from the challenge dungeon have to do with him? He wasn't the one who dealt the heavy blows, so why are you all focusing on him?!
In the scene, the Herrscher of Corruption stands amidst ruins, surrounded by the ravages of her battle with Sakura.
With a long sigh, all of Sakura's data was received by her at that moment.
The Herrscher of Corruption considered the time and did not immediately pursue Raiden Mei and Su. Instead, she leisurely wove a dream for Sakura.
The younger sister was safe and sound, the world had not Honkai, and there was afternoon tea with cherry blossoms in full bloom... The beautiful illusion was quickly constructed without taking the Herrscher of Corruption too long.
Like other Flame-Chasers, what Sakura craved in her life was so insignificant and so simple to the Herrscher of Corruption in this world.
Perhaps it's because they don't crave many things.
"Alright, Sakura, wouldn't it be more merciful to just live a good life like this?"
The Herrscher of Corruption completed the final step of the illusion, trapping Sakura within it forever.
Sensing the other party's continued, unyielding struggle, the Herrscher of Corruption shook her head helplessly.
"I really don't understand. We're both Elysia, and our goal is for you both to survive. It's more of a win-win situation than a sacrifice, so why are you so stubborn?"
"But don't worry, I, we won't disappear."
The Herrscher of Corruption smiled and then gave chase in the direction Su had fled.
For that Enlightened One, that short period of time had probably created an immeasurable distance, and it's unknown how many countermeasures he had taken.
But it doesn't matter. She's Herrscher of Corruption. In this world, what can't she do?
With this in mind, the Herrscher of Corruption strode forward.
Just as the Herrscher of Corruption was about to step through that door, the Elysian Realm's automatic defense mechanism activated, and countless creations appeared to block her way.
The Herrscher of Corruption gently drew her bow, using her privilege to eliminate everything that blocked her path, before stepping through the doorway.
"Huh?! How could this be...? This feeling is..."
Just as the Herrscher of Corruption stepped through the door, a sudden wave of sorrow, seemingly from nowhere, swept over her, almost knocking her to the ground.
For a fleeting moment, the Herrscher of Corruption thought she had triggered Elysia's emotions, until Alicia regained her omniscient state in the Elysian Realm and she realized her predicament.
"Oh, it's you, Cosmo."
A massive birdcage rose from the ground, trapping the Herrscher of Corruption and another person inside.
After recovering, the Herrscher of Corruption asked, "Did you make the same choice as Chakravartin? Disregarding everything, just to stand against me?"
Just to be on the safe side, the Herrscher of Corruption also reviewed the memories of the Flame-Chasers and learned the truth about what happened back then.
"But Cosmo, you shouldn't have accepted Vill-V's Mental Partition back then. If you had unleashed the Hypermutation Overload again, you would have had nothing left."
The Herrscher of Corruption put on Elysia's smile again and walked step by step toward Cosmo.
At least in the memories of the Flame-Chasers regarding Elysia, she would never allow herself to succumb to grief.
Cosmo simply stood there, not turning his head, remaining silent.
Raiden Mei: "Cosmo, may I ask what you're doing?"
On screen, the Cosmo and the Herrscher of Corruption are trapped in a birdcage, maintaining an elegant posture without turning their heads.
Indeed, from the perspective of the Herrscher of Corruption, the Cosmo, with its back to her, did possess an inexplicable confidence.
But in a situation where fighting could break out at any moment, turning your back to the enemy is hardly a wise choice, is it?
Cosmo: "... Handsome."
Faced with everyone's questions, Cosmo only answered with one word.
He genuinely thought that turning his back to the Herrscher of Corruption looked incredibly cool! None of the heroes who fought the Flame-Chasers of Herrscher of Corruption before him possessed such an imposing aura.
Pardofelis: "Amo, being handsome won't put food on the table."
Kiana: "When it's time to act, we still have to act."
The more cool Cosmo looks in that pose now, the more pathetic he'll look when he's being overwhelmed and beaten by the Herrscher of Corruption.
Elysia: "Don't say that, maybe Cosmo will surprise us."
Raiden Mei: "What surprises can we expect from a direct confrontation with the Herrscher of Corruption in the Previous Era Elysian Realm?"
So far, at least, no one has seen Flame-Chasers a character from a martial arts novel) come out on top.
Even Apponia has never found an opportunity to touch the mind of the Herrscher of Corruption.
Sue: "The most troublesome part is still the Herrscher of Corruption's omniscience. Anything that happened in the Previous Era Elysian Realm can be presented to her in the form of data."
Otherwise, Su wouldn't have been in such a hurry to establish a second front in Raiden Mei's mind.
Pardofelis: "Oh! Amo can no longer perform Hypermutation Overload, and that's how the Herrscher of Corruption found out?"
Sue: "That's right, but that omniscient ability can't last forever."
When Sakura fought the Herrscher of Corruption before, she was forced to exit her omniscient state.
Chapter 393 I Was the One Who Rebel
Perhaps that period wasn't long, but for the Flame-Chasers, it at least gave them time to carry out their plans.
The Herrscher of Corruption was surprised by the arrival of Cosmo, likely due to the lack of information during that period.
Sakura: "It's a pity, I wish I could have lasted longer."
Elysia: "Sakura, don't push yourself. The erosion process is irreversible for the data."
Sakura has done enough. If it were a more special Flame-Chasers, the stalemate with the Herrscher of Corruption probably wouldn't have lasted much longer.
Theresa: "Speaking of Sakura, I'm reminded that the Herrscher of Corruption also helped Chakravartin create a beautiful illusion. What was she thinking?"
Could it be that the Herrscher of Corruption truly doesn't want to fight the Flame-Chasers, and that, as Apponia previously speculated, her motive stems from her love for the Flame-Chasers?
But did her approach go astray during this process?
If the Herrscher of Corruption believes that loving them means creating a beautiful, longed-for dream for the Memory Body, it seems that this situation might actually occur.
Elysia: "Perhaps it's both—the will to survive, and the subtle influence of absorbing too Elysia's attributes."
The Herrscher of Corruption has been imitating Elysia, and this process has not been without its costs.
She was a newborn, without anyone to teach her, and everything she knew was self-taught. She had no ideals, no beliefs, and only the sole purpose of surviving.
It's not surprising that Herrscher of Corruption would become whatever they want by absorbing a large amount of chaotic information to form their personality.
In the scene, the Herrscher of Corruption is constantly advising Cosmo to abandon his meaningless actions.
Killing Cosmo here and eroding his data, being delayed by such actions, is definitely not what she wants.
"Further words are useless, Herrscher!"
Cosmo, with his back to the Herrscher of Corruption, spoke without turning his head.
The Herrscher of Corruption frowned, looking quite helpless. "Since you know I'm invincible, are you here to try and create an opportunity for Mei too?"
"In that case, I'm afraid you can't go any further, Herrscher of Corruption."
"Before you fall?"
"Hmm." Cosmo nodded, keeping a close eye on the Herrscher of Corruption's every move.
If the Herrscher of Corruption attempts to break free from him, Cosmo will stop her at all costs.
"Ugh, it's happening again."
The Herrscher of Corruption shook her head helplessly.
"I can accept the others, but Cosmo, from what I understand, self-sacrifice is probably the situation you find most unacceptable."
"Now you're doing this yourself, are you really sure it's okay?"
Cosmo denied it, saying, "I've never thought that way."
Seeing that Cosmo refused to admit it, the Herrscher of Corruption began to talk about his past, trying to dissuade Cosmo from his desperate idea.
The Herrscher of Corruption recounts what happened on the Mu Continent.
It was at that time that Griseo's father made a choice between two evils to create opportunities for others, sacrificing his own life.
His decision, however, put Cosmo in a position where he had to choose between two evils.
Even becoming a monster couldn't save his companions.
"Cosmo, if you repeat the same mistakes, the pain you felt then will fall on others as well."
"The Herrscher of Corruption said meaningfully."
"Unlike the Ninth Herrscher, I'm not the kind of villain who leaves you with no choice."
The Herrscher of Corruption shrugged, waiting for Cosmo's next reaction, but all she received in return was a firm and resolute refusal.
"Your views on everything about the mark are completely wrong."
Cosmo solemnly crossed his arms.
"From the very beginning, Hen's choice was not a choice between two evils, but rather the best of both worlds."
The Herrscher of Corruption can indeed read the data of the Flame-Chasers and know everything that happened in the Previous Era Elysian Realm, but she cannot understand the will of the Flame-Chasers and cannot empathize with them.