Volume 3, Chapter 30: A Grand Sacrifice Commences

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In highly advanced urban areas, the likelihood of small-scale Honkai Events increases.

After dispatching the machinery with Rin's assistance, Xia Chen promptly headed to the location of the outbreak to clear the Honkai Beasts.

His face looked grim, not because he couldn't defeat the Honkai Beasts before him, but because an Emperor of Honkai had already appeared at this site.

Typically, the emergence of an Emperor signifies the limit of small-scale Honkai events. Imperial Honkai Beasts usually appear during large-scale Honkai incidents, where Herrschers might be born.

In other words, Coral Island was now at a critical tipping point with Honkai.

Xia Chen swiftly cleared the Honkai Beasts, paying no heed to the astonished Kiana and Fu Hua, as he rushed towards the Main Research Lab of the Galactic Ladder.

Numerous individuals, including Chen Jiayu, were eagerly awaiting amidst this small-scale Honkai event.

"Just wait a moment, just a bit longer, and these data calculations will be complete."

Chen Jiayu's voice trembled, "The appearance of an Emperor indicates that a large-scale Honkai event could occur at any time. This is already the maximum level humanity can withstand. Soon, we'll have all the necessary computations ready."

To Xia Chen's eyes, it displayed intricate mathematical models unfolding before him.

Unfamiliar with such equations, he simply asked, "Once the calculations are successful, can you be evacuated first?"

"No, that's not possible," Chen Jiayu's lips quivered slightly. "While theoretically, after an Emperor emerges, a large-scale Honkai should follow, there may be variations in reality. Humanity has already sacrificed too much; we cannot falter at this crucial moment."

"Must we wait until Honkai erupts?"

"This sacrifice," Chen Jiayu said, "is for science, civilization, and the future—a tribute to them all."

Chen Jiayu possessed the potential of a madman.

Xia Chen took a deep breath. "Alright then, once this data is complete, let's save it first."

"Rin."

He mentally instructed Rin, "Infiltrate Coral Island's entire computing system, protect all the data, and prevent any deliberate sabotage."

"Understood."

Xia Chen couldn't help but furrow his brow.

He had a nagging feeling that he was missing something.

After addressing the small-scale Honkai incident and handling the corpse disposal, Kiana couldn't help but vent to Fu Hua, "This happened just as Mei and Bronya arrived. It seems Captain Zhang missed his flight."

"Starting the new year like this doesn't bode well for luck," Fu Hua frowned.

There were too many suspicious aspects surrounding this event.

Suddenly, both women noticed distant gunfire echoing in the distance.

"What's going on?"

Exchanging glances, they instinctively rushed towards the commotion.

At that moment, on Coral Island's bustling streets, a fierce firefight was unfolding.

The cause remained unclear, but it appeared that a new underground faction was launching an attack against the Thousand Fists Society, dissatisfied with their control over the underworld order.

It was crucial to remember that Coral Island was a major metropolis with 1.8 million inhabitants. Whoever controlled the order also commanded immense wealth.

Due to their plans for establishing a human community, despite controlling numerous weapons, the Thousand Fists Society primarily relied on conventional arms.

Juno had been stationed at the society's garrison, awaiting news from his underlings.

With the Thousand Fists Society's extensive connections and resources, he wasn't concerned about outsiders breaching their defenses. In fact, given the wealth of benefits they controlled, it had long attracted envy from many quarters.

However, not everyone was fortunate enough to serve Schicksal like lapdogs.

This assurance allowed Juno to remain unconcerned—until one of his subordinates rushed in with alarming news:

"Sir, trouble! Some unknown assailants have taken down our men."

"They're two women; firearms are completely useless against them." The subordinate's face paled unevenly as Juno frowned involuntarily.

Suddenly, Kiana and Fu Hua burst into the room unannounced. "People outside say Coral Island is just a prison. What's going on here?"

Ultimately, news of this sacrifice leaked out even before it began.

How the information spread remained unknown, but people had learned about Entropy Sickness—a convenient excuse, merely a pretext for their desire to replace the Thousand Fists Society.

Who would believe in the 100% fatal Entropy Sickness?

However, the Thousand Fists Society's arsenal was too formidable, rendering them virtually invincible.

The so-called Entropy Sickness was nothing more than an excuse.

Yet, hearing this news struck Kiana and Fu Hua differently.

They were aware of Honkai, and they seemed to suspect that it was being manipulated.

Realizing something was amiss, Kiana and Fu Hua immediately approached Juno to inquire.

Juno's eyes narrowed slightly. "Who are you?"

He had never encountered Valkyries before.

To maintain secrecy, he never contacted Xia Chen or others directly. Typically, the Thousand Fists Society could handle matters on their own; if not, he would reach out to Amber.

"That's irrelevant. Why do they claim you're controlling the Entropy Sickness?" asked Kiana.

Juno's gaze sharpened momentarily.

"Humans have their own order, and you're violating it," he threatened. "Schicksal stationed Valkyries at Coral Island to protect the safety of civilization's order, not to interfere with existing structures."

No nation would willingly allow Schicksal to interfere in their internal affairs, and moreover, Schicksal itself lacked sufficient resources to handle such matters.

Thus, refraining from political involvement became a condition promised by Schicksal when establishing its presence worldwide. It was an unwritten understanding, but Kiana and Fu Hua's actions had breached this tacit agreement.

Fu Hua unconsciously furrowed her brow.

Kiana continued, "Schicksal's rules mean nothing in the face of truth."

Although influenced by Headquarters' discipline, it didn't signify that she fully accepted these constraints. Kiana wasn't so easily brainwashed.

Juno's eyes slightly narrowed.

Fu Hua sighed, "Never mind, let me handle this."

She looked at Juno and calmly said, "I can sense you have a difficult secret to share, one connected to Schicksal, am I right?"

Juno took a deep breath and nodded.

Fu Hua's face paled slightly.

She had initially suspected something about Coral Island, but after Kiana arrived, she dismissed those thoughts. Otto's evident regard for Kiana was clear to everyone.

However, it turned out Otto truly intended to conduct an experiment using Coral Island.

"Class Monitor, what's wrong..." Kiana noticed Fu Hua's unease, and suddenly, her expression changed.

Another small-scale Honkai erupted.

Juno's eyes narrowed slightly. "Data analyst, record everything."

Looking at Fu Hua, he declared, "This grand sacrifice is about to begin."

Fu Hua could no longer contain her frustration. "A bunch of lunatics."

"Kiana, we must leave quickly."

"But, Coral Island..." Kiana still didn't fully comprehend the situation.

"It's too late; the Major Honkai Eruption is imminent." Fu Hua pulled Kiana away immediately.

There was no time left for civilians to evacuate, and besides, she held no affection for the Thousand Fists Society members.

Left alone, Juno burst out laughing madly—he had truly gone insane.

No, more accurately, his descent into madness began when he learned of his mission.