Chapter 26: You Two… The Real Reason the Gem is With Her Is…
Chapter 26: You Two… The Real Reason the Gem is With Her Is…
"That's not really the issue here, is it…?"
Looking at Hua's message, Hokuto felt utterly speechless.
If anyone else had said this, it would've just sounded cocky…
But coming from her?
This is a MANTIS, a soldier from the Fusion Warrior Project, one of the surviving members of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers…
If SHE said she could destroy North America in a day… that wouldn't even be bragging!
As Hokuto hesitated, another neatly formatted message appeared on screen.
『today's performance was less than perfect:』 "Please don't misunderstand. I simply wish to understand how this level of destruction compares in the game's world."
Hokuto: … 😅
"Annihilating a superpower in a single day isn't something ordinary humans can achieve."
『System Notification: Because of the information you revealed, 'today's performance was less than perfect' is shocked! You have received 740 Crystals! 🎉
Hokuto: ???
The timing was so uncanny, Hokuto had to pause for a moment.
Wait…
So Hua wasn't doubting the Moonlight Throne's power?
Yeah… makes sense. She's a serious warrior. She wouldn't say something immature like that…
『today's performance was less than perfect:』 "I see. So it truly is an impressive weapon."
With another message, Hua went silent again.
—
Meanwhile, in the Fire Moth Headquarters…
"Elysia, what do you think?"
Hua turned to the pink-haired fairy beside her.
"Hmm? Oh my~ Hua, are you finally opening your heart to me~?"
Her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, as if she hadn't noticed the gravity of the situation at all.
But Hua was certain—this seemingly carefree companion was aware of everything.
"Don't you think this game is… unnatural? It has Honkai, Herrschers, Valkyries… Stigmata holders fighting against Honkai… It's like…"
"…It's like looking at our future."
"Shhh~ Hua, calm down. When a girl gets worked up, she's more likely to make mistakes, you know~?"
Seeing how much she was talking, Elysia could tell Hua was agitated.
And so, she began soothing her in that usual soft, lilting voice.
With her reminder, Hua sighed deeply, realizing her own loss of composure.
"Apologies. It's just… I never expected to see a completely new world inside a game. A world that, despite still having Honkai… seems far better than ours."
"Hmm~"
Elysia tilted her head, then smiled at Hua.
"Hua, I don't think that's quite right~ If possible, I'd much rather you all go to a world where Honkai never existed at all~"
"This… I suppose you have a point. But I… Never mind. I just hope that, in the end, we can have a world without Honkai…"
Without saying more, Hua focused back on the livestream.
—
Back in the game, the mission briefing ended.
Through Teresa's explanation, Kiana had learned just how powerful the Moonlight Throne was.
[So, in order to fully activate that battleship, it needs a Herrscher's energy—no, FOUR Herrschers!]
[That voice in my dream… It also said something about needing four keys.]
With that, the briefing ended, and the combat phase began.
Honestly, there wasn't much to say about this part.
With the freshly equipped two-piece True Name set, Herrscher of Reason Bronya tore through enemies like tissue paper.
Hokuto barely even needed to switch characters—everything just melted.
『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "So strong…! Bronya-nee-sama is so strong…!"
"Of course. This is the current version's favorite child."
『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "Uhh… r-right!"
Seeing her reply, Hokuto just chuckled.
—
Eventually, Kiana and the team fought their way through the mission, finally reaching the target location.
With a flash, a new mission briefing popped up.
This time, Mei and Bronya appeared on screen.
[The scanner says the Gem of Desire is here, but… I don't see anything. Could our coordinates be wrong?]
[Mei-neesan, wait.]
[Hmm? What is it, Bronya?]
[Life detectors show a life signature 50 meters east.]
[East… I see it! There's a girl in a wheelchair! This place is too dangerous—we need to save her, quickly!]
With that, enemies started spawning again.
Hokuto effortlessly wiped them out, triggering another mission dialogue.
This time, Himeko and Mei appeared.
[Looks like you found the target.]
Mei blinked in confusion.
[Target? Wasn't our mission to recover the Gem of Desire? But… all we found was this girl.]
Not just Mei—the entire chat was confused.
『pink fairy lady:』 "A girl? A Gem? Ooh~ Could she be… a beautiful maiden born from the gem itself~? That would be such a fairy-tale-like story~"
"That… seems a bit far-fetched." Hokuto chuckled awkwardly. "I mean, this game is supernatural, sure, but turning a gem into a person is just…"
Wait.
That's actually NOT impossible…
Considering a certain Herrscher managed to survive all the way to Post-Honkai Odyssey…
『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "Yeah, big brother is right! The gem is probably just… on her or something, right?"
Hokuto was surprised.
She figured it out that fast? This girl's got some brains.
If she weren't so timid and insecure, she could've been one of the top kids at Cocolia's orphanage…
"Seele… I feel like you have a real talent for detective work."
『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "Eh?! Ehhh!! No, no, no! I-I was just…!"
Completely flustered, Seele's messages became incoherent.
—
As Hokuto tapped the screen, Himeko revealed the truth.
[According to newly received intel from the Oceania Branch—this young lady IS the Gem of Desire.]
With those words, a girl with short black hair, streaked with green at the tips, appeared on the left side of the screen.
[Umm… My name is Wendy.]
Her voice was soft, timid…
Just from hearing her, everyone in the chat could picture the scene perfectly—
A nervous girl gripping the hem of her skirt, hesitating to introduce herself…
End of Chapter 26