Volume 1, Chapter 23: Three Stigmata Unlocked From One Supply Crate

Schicksal Headquarters, Immortal Blades' quarters.

After completing her training session, Durandal returned to her room, ready for a refreshing bath to alleviate the day's fatigue. Usually, at this hour, Rita would have prepared warm water for her.

However, the bathtub in her bathroom remained empty with no preparations made.

A hint of confusion flickered across her eyes.

Accustomed to Rita's attentive care, she suddenly felt at a loss, even momentarily forgetting how to run hot water.

"Hmm, what should I do?"

Despite being assertive against Honkai Beasts, Durandal now found herself disheartened by the mundane task of daily life.

"Oh, apologies, Lady Durandal."

Rita's voice echoed from behind her.

The vice-captain, dressed in her maid outfit, smiled gently and said, "Since you took a nap earlier, I didn't expect your return at this time. Please relax on the sofa for a moment; I'll take care of everything here."

"You take naps?" Durandal was somewhat surprised.

In her mind, Rita typically needed only four hours of rest per day.

"Perhaps occasionally feeling tired is inevitable. Speaking of which, I had a dream too." She chuckled, "In the dream, we were on a mission to a place called Coral Island where a Herrscher appeared. Interestingly, this Herrscher was admired by a human youth."

"A youth admiring a Herrscher?"

Durandal's interest was piqued.

"Hmm, that young man is Xia Chen, from the Immortal Blades."

Treating it as casual conversation, Rita smiled and continued, "In the dream, he even went so far as to confront me to protect the Herrscher. However, ultimately, the Herrscher consumed him."

"Rita, your dream sounds quite unsettling," remarked the youthful captain. "But thankfully, it was just a dream; otherwise, Xia Chen would have been terribly unlucky."

"Yes," Rita echoed with a touch of melancholy. "At that moment, I suppose I felt somewhat like a villain."

Due to the dream's uncanny realism, she couldn't help but share all its details.

"It felt almost like a glimpse into the future," she mused.

Durandal shook her head. "Perhaps you were too exhausted. Why don't I take over here? You should rest some more."

"No need, please let me handle it."

The girl, delicate as a rose, flashed a sweet smile before diligently returning to her duties.

Lying on the bed for a long time, Xia Chen gradually managed to compose himself.

The bone-chilling cold and the agony of being consumed were no less intense than previous simulated deaths. In fact, from a certain perspective, this simulation felt even more despairing.

It took approximately an hour before he fully returned to his senses from the scenario.

He couldn't deny that the system had provided some impressive rewards this time. The 3 Honkai Pieces equaled six days' worth of sustenance for Red Sakura, while the Gun of God and supply crate were unexpected bonuses.

The significance of the Gun of God was self-evident. When the system awarded it, Xia Chen almost felt as if one of his deepest desires had been fulfilled.

In the Simulation Scenario, his longing for the Gun of God rivaled a desert traveler's thirst for pure water.

Compared to the Gun of God and Honkai Pieces, the final supply crate seemed like an additional bonus rather than a significant reward.

However, as he casually attempted to extract the items from within, he was taken aback.

[Congratulations! Player has obtained Stigmata 'Ana Schariac (Upper)', 'Ana Schariac (Middle)', and 'Ana Schariac (Lower)'.]

[This set of Stigmata contains a specific consciousness.]

[At its request, the Ana Schariac series of Stigmata will merge into one, without upgrades or explicit numerical bonuses. When activated on the player's body, it forms a stigma space.]

[The stigma space will grow by absorbing other Stigmata and Honkai Energy.]

[Under the influence of this Stigma, Hannah (Middle) has been decomposed.]

Xia Chen couldn't help but stare in disbelief.

Did a single supply crate just yield three five-star Stigmata?

Wait, that's not the main point.

He felt a sudden warmth in his body, and then the Stigma named Hannah disappeared, replaced by entirely new Stigmata imprints.

In a daze, he saw a radiant woman giving him a gentle smile.

"Contains a specific consciousness..."

"Could it be you?"

Unconsciously, he once again fell into a dream.

Meanwhile, in another room, Ana tossed and turned, finding it difficult to sleep.

"That dream...was it some kind of omen?"

When she dreamed about Manila's collapse, it actually happened. So, would Coral Island suffer the same fate next?

She couldn't understand.

And there was also the part where she absorbed Xia Chen...

"No, no way. I definitely won't become a Herrscher."

"Certainly not."

Xia Chen and Ana stayed in Singapore for just two days before the assessment results were announced.

"Congratulations! From now on, you'll be an A-rank female... No wait, male war god."

Ana couldn't help but express her happiness and added, "Yes, although your age is somewhat older, your talent is still very impressive."

At the time, Ana was only 16 years old, while Xia Chen was already 18. Thus, his talent, though commendable, wasn't considered top-tier.

Nodding, Xia Chen asked, "So from here on, I just need to await your news?"

"Mm-hmm." Her mood seemed quite cheerful. "I will request the bishop to restore the Snow Lotus Squad, and for now, you should remain with the Immortal Blades. Once my application is approved, I'll invite you to join the squad."

"You've already promised me, so no backing out. Otherwise, I'll hold a grudge forever," she said with a radiant smile, extending her finger. "Let's pinky swear again."

"Sure."

They continued their pinky swear gesture.

Afterward, Xia Chen couldn't resist asking, "Your mood has been exceptionally good these past two days. Did something happen?"

"Hmm, well, I am indeed feeling quite cheerful." She winked playfully. "Why the sudden question? Are you curious or trying to pursue me?"

"Just casually asking."

Xia Chen had not anticipated this lively side of Ana.

However, it was likely because they were becoming more familiar with each other now, allowing her to show such genuine openness.

"Alright, there's no harm in telling you. It's probably related to a dream." She paused briefly, then continued cheerfully, "In my dream, someone deeply loved me. Isn't that worth being happy about?"

"I imagine even our captain and teammates wouldn't want to see me disheartened. So, carrying their responsibilities forward, I'll continue on this path. Realizing this helps immensely."

Her words seemed casual, but only Xia Chen knew the painful story behind them.

Xia Chen smiled, "That sounds great."

He didn't delve further into the details of her dream, despite already having some guesses.

"Let's go; we shouldn't keep the base waiting. From now on, we're teammates, so please take care of me."

"Sounds good."

The girl led the youth towards the aircraft.

What followed would be a new beginning.