I Think I Can Still Be Saved

Lee remembered that before the real world line changed, Gao Ming once told her that the Honkai world allowed consciousness to match new containers, but did not allow containers to collect new consciousness.

Otto was a prime example. He had countless spare bodies, his consciousness jumping to a new one upon death. Conversely, Kallen, whom Otto desperately wanted to revive, lost her consciousness upon death. Even cloning her wouldn't bring her back.

Lee's consciousness hadn't dissipated, hadn't even left her body. Though seemingly dead, there was still a chance of revival.

And this gave Lee another opportunity to farm that sweet, sweet "death" energy.

The only problem was, she'd played dead a little too well…

Vill-V, what are you doing?! Crying won't help! Get up and perform the core transfer surgery! And Mobius, stop staring blankly! Weren't you quite decisive when you decided to perform the Meta-Morph surgery on Griseo after she nearly died from the sleeping sickness?

If you don't hurry, Battle Continuation will wear off, and I'll actually die!

Lee lamented Mei's absence. With her calm and pragmatic nature, she would have made the right decision.

Though the 4 million+ energy was nice, it wasn't her ultimate goal…

She didn't want to cash out just yet!

What should I do? I can't just suddenly spring up, grab Vill-V's hand, and yell, "I think I can still be saved!"

As Lee anxiously continued playing dead, she heard a voice, like a sweet melody to her ears.

"There is no need for alarm. Lee's fate is not yet sealed…"

As everyone watched, Aponia walked towards the mangled remains of the Eighth Herrscher, picking up the pristine Herrscher core.

"The threads intertwine, then ascend, until…"

Aponia sighed. Seeing the core, Vill-V's eyes lit up, as if awakening from a trance.

"Yes… yes, there's this! There's still a chance! We can still try!"

You go, Aponia! A bit cryptic, but you go!

Lee, playing dead, was carried away by a frantic Vill-V, mentally giving Aponia a thumbs-up.

Now, it's all up to Vill-V's skills!

Outside the operating room, an eerie silence hung in the air. Any Fire Moth personnel passing by instinctively avoided the area.

The reason was simple: the group of grim-faced, silent figures waiting in the corridor.

All MANTIS , including Kevin and Elysia, humanity's strongest. With these powerhouses radiating such intense negativity, who would dare approach them?

Inside the operating room, the situation was even more serious. Humanity's three greatest scientists, gathered together for a single surgery…

Pardofelis nervously fidgeted with her tail. She had survived the MANTIS surgery, but now sported cat ears and a tail, which took some getting used to.

Hearing about Lee's critical condition and emergency surgery had filled her with anxiety, an anxiety that persisted even after seeing Aponia, whom she'd been searching for.

Surgery… what kind of surgery required so many important people?

Wasn't Lee unable to become a MANTIS ?

Sensing Pardofelis' unease, Aponia gently patted her head. "Don't worry, she'll be fine."

Yes, Lee's fate wasn't over. There was no need to worry… Though her logic dictated this, Aponia couldn't shake off her anxiety.

After the MANTIS surgery, Aponia could see "threads", like strands of fate, allowing her glimpses into the future.

Everyone had only one thread, their destiny predetermined—that's what Aponia had believed, until she saw Lee.

Lee's figure was enveloped by countless threads, many trailing on the ground, like discarded destinies.

Aponia understood—Lee was special. Her future held infinite possibilities, determined solely by her own choices.

Many paths led to happiness. Aponia even saw some that transcended the disasters that ended all other fates, leading to an endless future. Even among the discarded threads, there were countless happy possibilities.

Aponia even saw some happy destinies that were severed because Lee had chosen to help her…

Shame and regret washed over Aponia, but seeing the most radiant of Lee's destinies, she couldn't dwell on it.

The paths Lee chose were filled with hardship, but they brought salvation to others…

After meeting Lee, Aponia had considered using her "Discipline" ability to prevent Lee from self-harm, but fate showed that doing so would only lead to a worse outcome.

Aponia understood—she couldn't save this person. In every timeline, Lee chose the path of self-sacrifice, no matter the cost.

The mistake she'd made was irreversible, and she was powerless to save Lee…

So Aponia made a decision—she would no longer interfere. She would follow Lee's lead, no matter what path she chose.

Whatever Lee needed, Aponia would do, even if it was just a meaningless act of atonement.

This incident was a crucial turning point in Lee's future. Many threads ended here, signifying the end of Lee's life. As time passed, these discarded destinies faded.

But…

The operating room door opened, and Mei stepped out.

As the others rushed forward, asking questions, Aponia looked up at the single remaining thread.

Only one destiny left… has she made her final decision?

Aponia remembered the words she'd spoken to Lee, the pain they caused.

Even if Lee resented her, even the entire world, Aponia could accept it, but this destiny…

Lee, is this world truly worth this sacrifice?