Honkai Impact 3rd: Chiyou's Survival Guide

"There are still survivors in the city center, right? Can I go and see someone?" Thinking of his best friend, Hua asked anxiously, almost losing his composure.

"...Unfortunately, no one survived in the direction of the city center."

As if realizing something, Himiko shook her head slightly.

"Plop——" Hua's body fell onto the bed involuntarily, his eyes blank.

"There are always unexpected changes in life, and you can only learn to face them... By the way, where are you from?" Faced with Himiko's question, Hua subconsciously stammered out a place name.

"That place... from what I know, has also been destroyed by this disaster. There are no survivors."

Looking at the other person with sympathy, Himiko knew that the successive bad news must be a huge blow to the girl in front of her.

“…” It was like a heavy hammer hitting his heart, and Hua almost fainted.

"I'd better let you be quiet for a while. After all, this is really hard to accept. I'll come back in the evening."

Himiko slowly turned around and prepared to leave.

"What... happened?" Unexpectedly, Hua stopped Himiko who was about to leave and asked stubbornly.

"Accident, natural disaster... You can think whatever you want. No one can deceive you. After all, you escaped from there yourself. You have witnessed the true situation with your own eyes."

"But... you should think carefully about how to make things easiest and most advantageous for yourself. You still have a long way to go, little girl."

Even though she had carried out many rescue missions, in Himiko's eyes, Hua was still the most hopeless and helpless. Whether Hua could ignite the belief to live depends on whether she can truly emerge from the haze.

"Normally, the original plan was to send you to Australia and then let you go wherever you wanted, but someone vouched for you and insisted on having you join the Fire Moth."

With her hands folded across her chest, Himiko pondered.

"The parliament has approved the application. As for whether you stay or go, it depends on your own wishes."

"...Guarantee? Who?" Hua looked bewildered. He didn't know anyone in this organization called the Fire Moths... Who would guarantee him? For some reason, Hua remembered the young man who had saved him and the familiar voice he had just overheard.

"Oh, it's Fu You. You should have seen him. He's the boy who sent you here... What? Didn't he introduce himself to you?" Seeing that Hua looked confused when Fu You was mentioned, Himiko asked.

“…” Shaking his head silently, Hua sat obediently aside.

"Strange, this is not his style..." Himiko muttered. She had dealt with Fu You a lot, and she didn't think Fu You was a cold person.

"Anyway, he told me that you will become an excellent warrior. Although I don't know why Fu You is so sure, he must have his reasons."

"I want to know the truth... I want to know what else I can do..." Hua said helplessly. At this moment, she felt her existence was ethereal, as if she had no connection to the world. Family, friends, classmates... all perished in this disaster. Hua desperately needed hope, a reason to continue existing.

"You'll have a lifetime to think about this, so there's no rush."

"I will tell you the truth, but in return, you will have to carry its weight for the rest of your life."

"So, think it over carefully, okay?" Himiko slowly turned around, but in just a moment, the girl's voice sounded from behind her.

“…I want to know. I want to spend my whole life taking action, not just thinking.”

"Heh... come with me."

Himiko chuckled softly, but there was a hint of appreciation in her tone.

"There's a place reserved for you."

Chapter 226 Dance

By the time Hua was officially inducted into the Fifth Squad, the primary impact of the Third Great Collapse had almost ended. During the days Hua was isolated, Alicia lived up to everyone's expectations and successfully defeated the Third Herrscher—making Fu You increasingly puzzled over her motives. It couldn't possibly be for the betterment of all humanity. A large number of new recruits were deployed to the battlefields of the Far East, making their mark. Kevin, for undertaking the investigation mission alone, defeating numerous Honkai beasts along the way, and rescuing many survivors, became the star recruit of the Fire Moth. Having finally survived this devastating disaster, the Fire Moth celebrated with a grand new recruits' ball—and, of course, veterans were also welcome to attend.

"You're right, Doctor. The Third Honkai Impact isn't a victory at all. There's nothing to celebrate... but the warriors need a way to vent their emotions."

In the corner of the venue, Fu You was communicating with Mebius while taking a box of sparkling water and preparing to enjoy it slowly.

"That's right, Doctor. I accidentally discovered a snake-shaped Honkai beast. Its Honkai energy reaction is definitely stronger than the Emperor level. It is very likely the Judgment level you mentioned... You asked me where I saw it? Wait, someone is coming. Doctor, I'm hanging up first!" After hanging up the communication with Mobius cursing, Fu You looked at the figure in front of him that he couldn't deal with.

"Hey, hey, isn't this our great hero Alicia? What? Are you playing cosplay today?" Looking at the maid outfit on the other person, Fu You teased.

"Hi? Fu You, it's great to see you... But why don't you go dance with everyone?" Alicia greeted him enthusiastically. She was a little confused about Fu You's behavior of sitting in the corner.

"Nothing, I like quietness..." Feeling a little guilty, Fu You glanced away.

"Oh - I know! Fu You, you can't dance, right?" Looking at Fu You curiously, Alicia walked around him, clapped her hands, and spoke playfully.

"...Actually, you don't have to say anything, Alicia."

Alysia's bluntness left Fu You speechless. After all, going to a dance without dancing was like going to a cocktail party without drinking—though the Fire Moth certainly didn't serve alcohol to minors. And Fu You was the adult who attended the recruits' dance and cocktail party, not only refusing to dance but also drinking sparkling water off to the side.

"Oh, what's there to be embarrassed about? Dancing is actually very simple. I can teach you." Seeing that Fu You really couldn't dance, Alicia's interest was immediately attracted, and she looked like she was willing to take on the responsibility.

"Not interested. I don't want to learn this useless stuff... I'd rather have a couple more drinks with this time."

Picking up the sparkling water in his hand and shaking it, Fu You "cruelly" rejected Alicia.

"But what will you do if other beautiful girls invite you to dance in the future? Fu You, I'm really worried about you?" After being rejected, Alicia was not discouraged, but became more bold.

"..." In the end, Fu You, who was overwhelmed by the harassment, was defeated.

"Do you remember Kevin, the new recruit who has become famous recently? His girlfriend, Meko, is a lovely girl. She is at this dance... Alicia, haven't you met her yet?" In line with the spirit of "a friend's death would rather die than I die", Fu You cunningly pulled out Kevin's girlfriend as a shield.

"I remember that you like meeting beautiful girls the most. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..." "Oh, you remember my hobbies so clearly, Fu You, you really care about me?" Hearing this, Alicia was very happy.

"I love making friends with beautiful girls the most... Fu You, shall I excuse myself for a while?" Just as Fu You expected, Alicia could no longer sit still. She slowly stood up, ready to leave and go look for Mei among the crowd.

"Huh... finally gone..." Fu You sighed in relief, frowning. Finally, he could enjoy his drink... "Hello..." However, just as the cup reached his lips, an untimely greeting rang out from in front of him.

"..." Fu You was annoyed. He sat in a corner. He just wanted to drink some sparkling water quietly. He wasn't going to destroy the world. Why was he interrupted again and again? First it was Mebius, then Alicia, and finally who was it again? Looking up, Fu You saw Hua, who looked a little haggard, timidly greeting him.

"Oh? It's you... the new recruit. What's going on?" Fu You asked thoughtfully. She had never imagined that this face would one day display such an attitude... Deep down, Fu You sighed. Of course, she wasn't the Red Kite Immortal now. She certainly couldn't adapt so quickly to a catastrophe as unnatural as Honkai. Thinking of his current status, Fu You understood.

"...Thank you for saving me from those monsters."

Standing in front of Fu You, Hua seemed a little uneasy.

"Oh."

Upon hearing this, Fu You didn't express anything, but just said it casually.

"It's just a mission, nothing to thank you for."

“…” For a moment, the rhythm of the recruits’ ball was reaching its climax, but the atmosphere between Fu You and Hua fell into silence.

"If you have nothing else, go ahead. I want to be alone for a while."

After the brief conversation, Fu You unceremoniously ordered them to leave.

"There's one last thing... Why do you want to be my guarantor?" Mustering up the courage, Hua asked his question.

"I'm Kevin's guarantor. Why don't you go and ask him the specific reason?" Fu You said unhappily without stating the reason.

"Yes, I'm sorry..." Seeing that his words seemed to make the other party unhappy, Hua apologized subconsciously.

"There's no need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."

Fu You turned his head away and did not continue to look at Hua. Although he said so, it was true that he got angry when he saw this face.

"All your questions have been answered, new soldier, go back to your dance."

Fu You waved his hand, thinking that out of sight, out of mind, and took a sip of his drink.

"No, that..." Hua shook his head like a rattle, seeming to find it difficult to speak.

"Hmm?" Fu You looked at the other party in confusion, a little puzzled.

"I really... really can't dance..." Hua lowered his head, looking depressed.

"...What a coincidence! I don't know how either. So don't join in the fun. Stay here and have a drink."

Fu You glanced at him in surprise. He hadn't expected that he, like himself, had no dancing talent at all. Speaking of which, could Chi Yuan dance? He hadn't seen her dance in all these years... Fu You pondered as he handed Hua a drink.

"Sorry, I... I can't drink either..." Hua's voice was hushed with shame. She had always been a well-behaved girl, both at school and back home. Furthermore, as a minor, she had never touched anything alcoholic. Not being able to drink or dance, she felt like an outlier at this recruits' ball. This thought made Hua even more dejected.

"It's okay, I don't drink either. This is sparkling water."

As he explained, Fu You continued to enjoy his drink under Hua's stunned gaze. This was the first time that Fu You felt that his lifestyle and Hua's were so compatible.