I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

The dull sound seemed to indicate that an underground water pipe had burst somewhere nearby. Amidst the broken walls and ruins, surging water broke through the obstruction and gushed out from underground, spreading in mid-air before falling back down due to gravity.

One spot after another, before long, a small circle of "rain" formed around Xiwang.

I could feel the Gabriel gene active in my body, and the fragrance of lilies lingered around my nose.

Following the fragrance of the flowers, you can see a bunch of lilies placed on a broken wall not far away.

I stepped forward and picked it up, but the moment I picked it up, the lily quietly vanished, turning into specks of blue like water.

It sounded like joyful horns, or perhaps the soft murmur of a woman.

The Gabriel gene in his body began to stir, and the surrounding moisture became more abundant. The "rain" that was originally only around Xiwang also expanded outwards a little without him realizing it.

The gold in his pupils widened further, and the three remaining "patterns" on his body surged rapidly like a torrent.

Correspondingly, the aura emanating from Xi Wang became increasingly dangerous, drawing ever closer to that Honkai Beast—[Gabriel].

But none of that matters anymore.

"This direction... yes, that's right."

Once the direction was confirmed, the surrounding water began to converge along Xiwang's line of sight. Tiny, transparent water droplets quickly gathered and eventually formed a blue, meandering "river" in mid-air.

Stepping forward into the azure "river," Xi Wang's figure was swept away by the rapidly flowing "water" and disappeared from the spot in an instant.

The scattered water, after a brief pause, seemed to react and chased after the direction of the rising sun.

Like a school of fish swimming with a direction indicated, like seawater flowing with the ocean current.

Only after Xi Wang's figure disappeared into the distance did that azure "river" quietly vanish into the horizon.

…………

………………

"Ha...ha...has this guy realized the danger?"

Hen gasped for breath as he desperately dodged the attacks of the [Herrscher].

The pressure on him was getting heavier and heavier, and it was becoming more and more difficult to move. He used to be able to find time to try to fight back, but now he could only be suppressed unilaterally.

Although this result was not unexpected, since he was indeed no match for the Ninth Herrscher, the reason he was able to hold her off for so long was probably due to the Ninth Herrscher's contempt and playfulness, or simply because he was skilled.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the Ninth Herrscher runs away when it encounters a Fusion Warrior. Even if it chooses to fight a Fusion Warrior, it will flee after a short while. If it senses multiple Fusion Warriors, it will leave immediately, making it seem cowardly. The Ninth Herrscher is actually very strong and difficult to deal with. Otherwise, it wouldn't have caused such chaos on the entire Mu Continent.

It can actually suppress many fusion warriors, and even show an overwhelming advantage, but it simply doesn't want to get into a confrontation. It has things it wants to deal with more... such as destroying cities and killing humans. Fighting against "inhuman" fusion warriors is too much of a waste of time.

If you encounter a fusion warrior you can defeat, just fight them for a bit, have some fun, and then kill the other ordinary people. If you encounter a troublesome one, just leave. It's no big deal.

Simply put, it's a Herrscher who only plays in situations where she has a crushing advantage or an advantage. She can play in even situations, but it's not necessary, and she should run away in situations where she's at a disadvantage.

It's simple and effective, yet it can feel extremely difficult to deal with.

But now... well, it seems to have realized it's fallen into a trap, so it's starting to show its power in an attempt to crush the annoying guy in front of it.

"Hey, why did you stop playing?"

Finding that it was no longer attacking him, Hen, who was hiding behind cover, took a deep breath and shouted loudly.

"Are you out of energy?"

"...Remove that thing, and I won't kill you."

"Oh, you can talk."

Hen's voice rose slightly, as if he were laughing.

"And you say you won't kill me just because you say so? Don't act like my life is already in your hands. You haven't killed me for so long... Pfft!"

Before Hen could finish speaking, a strange and powerful force forcibly pulled him out of the cover and dragged his body into the air.

"Your life is now in my hands."

Looking at the mark that it had brought under its control, it said coldly.

"What? Not playing anymore?"

Feeling his body pressed down so hard he couldn't move, Hen's lips curled up slightly as he spoke in a somewhat relaxed tone. However, in response, an inexplicable force wrapped around his neck, pressing down on his throat.

"Let that thing go."

It manipulated the forces around the mark, squeezing the mark's body little by little. The immense, twisting force was so great that even the body of a fusion warrior could hardly withstand it, and the faint cracking sound of the mark's bones breaking could be heard.

Clearly, it has realized that it has fallen into a trap.

Why don't you try to escape, just like you used to?

Hen was still smiling, seemingly not caring much.

Anyway, Kevin is already in position and has entered the attack range of [Heavenly Fire Judgment]. It's no use trying to escape now. As long as it shows even the slightest sign of trying to escape, Kevin will activate [Heavenly Fire Judgment] and deliver a devastating blow.

Hen believed Kevin would definitely do it.

"I just don't want to argue with you."

It gave its reasons, and then said...

"Take that thing away, and I'll let you go."

"You are afraid, Herrscher."

Hen chuckled softly.

"From this perspective, you're not so different from us humans... you're afraid of dying too."

"Get that thing removed, and I can guarantee I won't kill you."

Jianhen was still rambling on and on, even appearing quite relaxed, but it was getting a little anxious.

"Or do you want to die here with me? To die at the hands of humans, at the hands of your own kind?"

"What's not allowed?"

"........."

Henna's matter-of-fact tone made it pause.

"And your negotiation skills are terrible. So, is it true that most of the Herrscher's mind is occupied by madness and the desire to kill?"

Hen sighed and groaned, seemingly unaware that he could be killed by it at any moment.

"Or do you think you can leave by taking me hostage?"

"Isn't it?"

It asked in return.

“You are the strongest among humans, the protectors of them, and rare beings... If one of you were to sacrifice yourself, your fighting strength would be greatly diminished.”

"I'll let you go, let you return alive, and preserve humanity's precious fighting force. Isn't that a good thing?"

Its tone was calm, reminiscent of Xi Wang's usual way of speaking.

"And then you're allowed to continue the destruction and slaughter?"

"........."

It stopped talking.

However, Hen laughed at this.

"Are you scared, Herrscher?"

But what responded to Hen was an increasingly terrifying pressure on his body, the enormous and twisted force almost crushing his bones.

"Remove that thing."

Its expression was somewhat gloomy, its tone became cold, and it no longer promised to leave Fanghen.

"So...that is to say..."

Despite his increasingly labored breathing and the immense pressure he was under, Hen slowly moved his arm, stretching it out in front of him.

Bring your four fingers together and extend your thumb, while slowly rotating your arm so that your thumb gradually changes from pointing towards the sky to pointing towards the ground.

"Your negotiation skills... are terrible... Lawyer."

In the distance, surrounded by intense heat, Kevin watched all this indifferently, slowly tightening his grip on the flaming sword.

Has Wang... not arrived yet?

It's going to be too late...

Kevin was anxious, but he couldn't show it on his face, not even the slightest hesitation.

He also hoped that when Hen was bound by the [Herrscher], he could appear in time to take Hen away, so that he could unleash [Heavenly Judgment] without any worries.

He didn't want to personally bury Hen, to kill his predecessors and his comrades, so he was willing to help Xiwang and disobey orders to postpone the release of [Heavenly Fire Judgment] and the launch of the attack, even if it was just by one minute.

However, all of this is predicated on the ability to kill the [Herrscher].

This is Kevin's, or rather, the bottom line of all the fusion warriors who participated in the battle; it's something everyone knows.

Even if it means sacrificing a fusion warrior and reducing humanity's already precious fighting force, the Herrscher must be killed... Only in this way can the Great Honkai be stopped and this disaster be ended.

But when it really came to this crucial moment... Kevin still hesitated a little, especially knowing that Scar might be saved.

Even knowing that Xiwang's arrival might not change anything, there is still hope.

What if? Right?

People always hope for low-probability events like "miracles".

Unfortunately, it seems... that's no longer possible.

"……Feel sorry."

Kevin murmured softly, as if trying to convey his words to Xi Wang, who was still on her way, and Hen, who was beyond saving.

"Wait, Kevin, Captain Wang said it hasn't been a minute yet, you..."

"It's too late."

The sudden rise in temperature made the sound in the communication slurred, but Kevin simply responded calmly.

He drew his crimson greatsword and pointed the tip at the Herrscher in the distance.

The flames danced restlessly, cheering all around Kevin.