Volume 4, Chapter 52: Simulation - The Final Honkai 2

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Despite everyone preparing for battle, the speed at which Honkai erupted and spread was overwhelming. It was so swift that before the Valkyries could get ready, they found themselves surrounded by Honkai Beasts everywhere.

Even Xia Chen felt somewhat helpless internally.

Then, to his astonishment, he discovered that the high concentration of Honkai energy caused his Herrscher Core to recondense within him, almost as if it never split apart.

Feeling this familiar power bolstered his confidence slightly.

Moments later, he spotted a familiar face approaching.

"Xia Chen."

Ana, clad in her Mark-III Valkyrie Armor, rushed towards them. Alongside her were several unfamiliar faces, likely new cadets from Saint Freya Academy, including some males.

Among them were Wendy and Raiden Mei. As for Bronya, she probably couldn't make it to Schicksal Headquarters in time, being trapped at her game development studio.

"What's happening here?" Raiden Mei frowned, perplexed.

"In theory, there shouldn't be any Honkai on Earth anymore," she stated.

"If Honkai could be predicted, it wouldn't be called 'Honkai'." Xia Chen feigned nonchalance as he looked at Ana. "Stay close to me; don't split up."

"Don't worry, I'm not defenseless." Ana tightened her grip on her gun. Just then, a series of roars from nearby Honkai Beasts echoed through the air.

Everyone's faces paled involuntarily.

Most of these consecutive roars originated from Imperial Rank Honkai Beasts.

The global Honkai concentration had surpassed 5000hw, giving birth to countless Honkai Beasts.

As traitors to the Will of Honkai, Xia Chen and his group no longer possessed control over the Honkai Beasts. Although Herrschers exist on a higher life tier than Honkai Beasts, it does not mean the beasts would obediently follow their commands.

Raiden Mei closed her eyes painfully, realizing that under these circumstances, human civilization was essentially doomed beyond repair.

"I truly wonder what humanity did wrong."

On the other hand, Wendy maintained a composed mindset. Time had transformed the once young girl into a skilled warrior. After a brief pause, she declared, "Let's fight."

"Agreed, let's engage."

For a moment, they charged like wolves amidst a flock of sheep, effortlessly overpowering the Honkai Beasts.

However, their numbers were significantly limited.

"First and Second squads, follow me," commanded Raiden Mei.

Unlike Xia Chen's carefree demeanor, she needed to oversee her squad members' safety. Although the Valkyrie Squad system remained intact, the traditional naming conventions were replaced with numerical identifiers. The captain of First Squad wasn't her, but she still bore responsibility for their well-being.

Wielding her long blade, she swiftly dispatched Honkai Beasts and Zombies. Yet, despite her efforts, casualties within her protected squad quickly mounted.

"The concentration of Honkai Energy is too high; it's causing disruptions in the Valkyrie Armor systems." Witnessing her comrades fall one by one, Raiden Mei struggled to suppress her grief.

In contrast, Wendy remained steadfast, focusing solely on combat. Chariot-class Honkai Beasts continuously fell at her feet. However, as the Honkai Energy reached critical levels, parts of her dual pistols became corroded, rendering them unable to fire bullets.

The surge in Honkai Energy was escalating rapidly.

Without hesitation, Wendy discarded her guns and drew a knife to continue engaging enemies.

Xia Chen, on the other hand, directly utilized the power of Stigmata. Amidst the dense Honkai Energy, he continuously summoned frost to restrict the movements of both Honkai Beasts and Zombies.

Meanwhile, Ana focused on finishing off wounded beasts nearby.

"Ana," Xia Chen said amidst the battle, "find a way to contact Theresa. At this critical moment, preserving civilization's records and kindling is paramount."

"Have Theresa notify governments worldwide to open all air-raid shelters; they may be the safest places currently available."

His thoughts raced rapidly. "This might not be entirely effective, but we must try our best."

If civilization were to collapse, these survivors would serve as its kindling.

Ana shook her head, "It's too late now. With such high concentrations of Honkai, all communication methods have failed."

Far from Schicksal Headquarters, most governments had essentially become paralyzed by the crisis.

The sudden onslaught of Honkai led to instant death for the majority of people. Power stations, requiring constant maintenance, quickly succumbed to fires and explosions everywhere.

However, the surviving soldiers instinctively took action, spontaneously securing vital hospitals and communication centers, attempting to establish contact with the outside world.

Yet despairingly, they realized they were trapped as isolated islands within a hellish abyss, seemingly abandoned to their fate.

These survivors possessed Honkai Energy resistance, but they could only remain here, gradually awaiting to be consumed by the Honkai.

Meanwhile, in Shenzhou:

"Protect the children, protect women and children!"

In a city besieged by Honkai, someone raised their voice, urging everyone to spontaneously organize: "Women and children enter the air-raid shelters; we will bring you food, medicines, and books."

"Teach them as they grow, let them know this world once thrived."

The foresight and preparedness of Shenzhou played a crucial role, with their well-maintained air-raid shelters remaining dry despite the chaos.

From cities that once housed hundreds of thousands, only a few hundred people remained. A small group of men found weapons, cautiously evading Zombies and Honkai Beasts while guiding women to safety, eventually reaching the air-raid shelters.

Like worker ants, these men scoured for medicines and food, leaving books for last.

They might not have realized the futility of their actions, yet filled with hope, they struggled to survive this crisis.

There was no time for grief.

At the same moment, Theresa instructed Ai-chan to compile all Schicksal's data.

"Communications are completely down, Ai-chan. After finishing this task, take a good rest."

She took a deep breath and then retrieved the Oath of Judah.

"As for me, it's time to fight."

As Honkai Energy rapidly surged, reaching a global threshold of 15,000 hw, it finally began to stabilize. However, by this point, only a handful of individuals remained on Earth.

Xia Chen's heart felt heavy.

Wendy had fought until exhaustion and perished, Ana suffered severe injuries, unable to continue battling, now succumbing to Honkai's corruption. The other Valkyrie Squad members either collapsed and fled or died from sheer fatigue.

The ones still standing were only him, Theresa, and Raiden Mei.

Strictly speaking, Theresa could no longer stand upright.

After activating her Honkai Beast form to combat the creatures, she gradually lost her rationality to Honkai's influence.

Xia Chen looked at Raiden Mei, her hair disheveled and breaths labored.

"It seems everything is coming to an end."

"Yes," Mei pursed her lips, saying, "It feels so unfair."

"If Kiana saw the world she protected turn out like this," she murmured, "she might even cry." As her words trailed off, surrounding Honkai Energy coalesced within her body.

Raiden Mei once again assumed her Herrscher form.

Suddenly, all wandering Honkai Beasts and battling individuals froze as if time had stopped.

A high concentration of Honkai energy emerged on the moon.

Xia Chen couldn't help but glance towards it, sensing a living entity approaching within the Earth-Moon system.

Finality had arrived.