Chapter 015 : We Are the Same

Ling Ke felt that the original Thousand Herrschers weren't evil or ruthless enough!

That's why they were just a "motley crew."

But him...

[Game Character Template: Sixth Serenade]

[From: Honkai Impact 3rd]

[Character Traits: Level System, HP System, Infinite Stamina, Indestructible Equipment, Special Abilities, Ice Damage Core, Freeze Core, Float Core, Time-Space Core, Character Switching...]

[Game Skills: Normal Attack: Twilight Nocturne, Dodge: Raven Feather Dash, Special Attack: Lightless Tide, Ultimate Skill: Frenzied Night, Leader Skill: Shadow Veil...]

[Background Talents: High Honkai Energy Adaptation, Kaslana Bloodline, Super Strength, Kaslana Gun Kata, Phantom Thief...]

[Related Introduction: Full Name: Kallen Kaslana. Knowing she couldn't change the corrupt Schicksal from within, she became the 'Phantom Thief Murasaki' to help the common people...]

Without a doubt, if he chose to load this game character template, what would unfold across the world would be...

The former Schicksal Saint, "Kallen Kaslana," would become a butcher feared, hated, and cursed by the world.

The hands of "her" image would be stained with the blood of hundreds of millions.

At that time, Kallen, who had been dead for centuries and whose reputation had been restored by Otto after his rise to power, would be recorded in the history of this world as a figure whose crimes were too numerous to list, leaving behind a legacy of infamy...

"Otto, Otto, your plan to 'charge the tree' is to create a new timeline where Kallen is alive, a world that belongs to her."

"But in this original timeline, if Kallen becomes an object of hatred for hundreds of millions..."

"Will you just stand by and watch this become reality, doing nothing?"

"What will you choose, Otto, the world's most selfish pure love warrior?"

Ling Ke was already looking forward to the outcome.

To be honest, he couldn't be bothered to overanalyze Otto.

Right or wrong, good or evil, merits or faults... none of that mattered to him.

Now, all he knew was that it was because this Schicksal Overseer set such a "fine example" that cruel human experiments within Schicksal became commonplace.

Even normalized.

So, no need to say more.

It was just karmic retribution.

Ling Ke also had no intention of seeking justice for other victims.

Others' suffering, others' debts to collect.

If they couldn't do it, it was simply because they lacked the "power."

He was lucky, so he could become a debt collector living for himself.

Under this premise...

Because of Otto, he suffered.

So, he would take revenge.

He would absolutely not let Otto's plan to "charge the tree" succeed.

You want to save Kallen, save your highest belief?

Then I will completely destroy it, turning all your hopes into despair.

"As long as I'm here, you won't achieve your lifelong wish."

"Struggle, regret, just like five hundred years ago."

"Once again, because of your autocratic actions, Kallen Kaslana has been implicated."

"Nothing has changed!"

******

World Serpent Headquarters.

As a newcomer who had only joined the organization a few months ago, Raiden Mei had recently been working closely with Natasha Cioara—also known by her codename, "Raven."

Over the past few days, relying on her formidable strength as the fully realized Herrscher of Thunder, Mei had successfully completed many missions.

For example: assisting her teammates in investigating various Honkai-related incidents.

Or: eliminating enemies of World Serpent.

Today...

"Well, if it isn't our rising star!"

"You're really busy, huh? It's so hard to get a moment with you."

As soon as Mei returned to the headquarters, she heard a sarcastic voice.

"Jackal" Cleo, another executive of World Serpent.

In Mei's mind, this was a true villain.

What she had seen in the underground base in Arc City... the girls who had been transformed into inhuman forms, was proof enough.

But now, this person was her colleague.

"Do you need something?"

Mei's attitude toward "Jackal" was extremely cold.

One could even say: undisguised disgust.

Of course, "Jackal" knew the reason for this.

But precisely because of that...

"Recently, I discovered something very interesting."

As "Jackal" spoke, she handed Mei an electronic tablet. "This is intelligence shared by Schicksal not long ago."

"Later, Anti-Entropy updated it with additional information."

"I think you'll find it quite interesting."

At this point, seeing Mei take the tablet, "Jackal" sneered and began rambling on her own. "To be honest, I originally thought you were very different from everyone here."

"After all, you're a kind-hearted, innocent young girl. Even though you carry the karmic debt of millions of lives from Nagazora City, it wasn't your intention... You're not really suited to stay in World Serpent."

"But now... heh, I can only say, as expected of our Lord."

"His vision, spanning tens of thousands of years, can indeed see through the essence of more things and people."

"You are just like us."

"No different!"

"It's just that you've been in the sunlight for too long, even forgetting that you've already been tainted by darkness."

At this moment...

"..."

Mei remained silent.

She saw a face that wasn't very familiar but left a deep impression on her.

Ling Ke.

That black-haired young man who had suddenly appeared before her, warning her of impending suffering, and then vanished without a trace.

She had thought that, like the millions of other innocent residents of Nagazora City, he had died in the full-scale third Honkai eruption.

But now...

"Captured by Cocolia, tortured for over half a year."

"Later discovered by Schicksal's investigation team, transferred to the West Asia branch, becoming an experimental subject like expendable material..."

"Now, he's become the 10th Herrscher of this era?"

"And he's taking revenge on everyone?"

Mei tightened her grip on the electronic tablet.

Crack~

The screen cracked under her fingers.

It was clear that her emotions were anything but calm.

In fact, the current Mei had changed a lot.

Since she became the true Herrscher of Thunder again, and her Herrscher persona "Raiden Mei" disappeared—or rather, fused with her—her personality was no longer as gentle as before.

But even so...

"Because of my ignorance, my lack of trust... that phone call to the police was intercepted by Cocolia's subordinates."

"The person who captured him back then was Bronya!"

"All of this was caused by me..."

Mei was deeply unsettled.

And just then...

"Impressive."

"Jackal" continued to mock. "You actually created a Herrscher with just one phone call."

"Such experimental efficiency is beyond my reach. I have to say, I'm impressed!"

(TL/N: indeed impressive)

She crossed her arms and deliberately added, "Maybe if you put down your sword, you could become a top-tier scholar."

"How about you try..."

"Are you done?"

(TL/N: damn.. so cold..)

Mei coldly interrupted "Jackal's" rambling. "If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."

With that, she didn't even wait for "Jackal" to respond, turning and walking away.

The electronic tablet in her hand was not returned.

"Jackal" watched Mei's retreating figure, the corners of her lips curling into a noticeable smirk beneath her mask.

In her line of sight, Mei's footsteps grew increasingly hurried.

Clearly, the latter just wanted to return to her room as quickly as possible.

Recalling the past...

If it hadn't been for Kiana back then—the girl who held the most important place in her heart—during the tragedy in Nagazora City, Mei would have likely fallen into darkness long ago.

But she had Kiana. What did Ling Ke have?

He was alone, with no one to rely on.

Enduring malice from others, over and over.

What kind of despair must that have felt like?

Just thinking about it sent a chill down Mei's spine.

If the full-scale outbreak of the third Honkai eruption could still be blamed primarily on Cocolia, the mastermind behind it, then what about Ling Ke's situation...

No, it was precisely because of his existence... He had risked his life to warn her of crucial information in advance, and yet she... had chosen the wrong path.

Her ignorance had harmed him.

Indirectly, it had harmed the millions of innocent citizens of Nagazora City.

She had had the chance to change everything.

But she had missed it.

Now, he had returned from hell, seeking his revenge.

If it were an ordinary enemy, she could simply cut them down.

But this person... was someone she had personally pushed off the cliff.

She truly didn't know how to face him.

"Why did it have to turn out like this?"

Mei's heart was in turmoil. "What should I do?"