Necromancer, but pre-collapse civilization

　Let me see how you deal with this desperate situation...

　The Herrscher of Death gazed at the distant city, her deep, ocean-like eyes flashing with a mixture of coldness and anticipation.

　The Fire Moths paid extraordinary attention to the Herrschers who descended with the Great Collapse.

　After pinpointing the location of this divine apostle with unknown powers, they devoted themselves to ensuring that this powerful being could not escape their sight.

　From cutting-edge military satellites in planetary geosynchronous orbit to Honkai energy-powered strategic reconnaissance aircraft soaring through the outer atmosphere, and advanced radar systems modified with Honkai energy...

　The Moth of Fire spared no effort in using all available reconnaissance methods in order to achieve comprehensive and thorough surveillance of the Apostles of God.

　Under such close surveillance, the destructive black mist released by the Herrscher of Death was naturally seen by the members of the Moth Chaser Council.

　"Zi-"

　Congressman Eugene tapped the microphone to make sure all eyes in the meeting room were on him.

　Then, his gaze swept past the crowd and settled on a beautiful young woman wearing a white lab coat with her long purple hair tied back.

　"Dr. Mei, what are your thoughts on this strange black fog?"

　Dr. Mei slightly raised her head, her purple eyes gleaming with rationality.

　"Based on the available information..."

　Instead of responding immediately, she carefully examined the data on the screen and adjusted several parameters to make the terrifying impact of the black fog more clearly visible.

　"This black fog can cause biological tissues to turn black rapidly at such a low concentration, and then dehydrate, pulverize, and disappear..."

Chapter 275 The Black Mist That Corrodes Everything

　Under Dr. Mei's control, the projection screen in the conference room clearly showed the horrific scene of the black mist released by the Herrscher of Death instantly corroding the flesh and blood of living beings, turning them into ashes.

　"To the best of my knowledge, no known toxin or chemical has ever caused such devastating effects at such low concentrations..."

　Dr. Mei continued her analysis, her voice calm and firm.

　She then operated the projector again, showing the members of parliament present images of steel vehicles and solid concrete buildings gradually crumbling under the erosion of the black fog.

　"Based on the fact that this black mist can corrode most common materials, I initially speculate that this is likely some kind of manifestation of the Sixth Herrscher's power..."

　Listening to Dr. May's detailed analysis and looking at the all-consuming black mist on the projected screen, Congressman Vincent couldn't wait to ask more questions.

　"Dr. Mei, what do you think we should do about this strange black mist?"

　There was no other way; the place where the apostle of God descended this time was his motherland.

　As the representative of the only powerful nation on the North American continent in the Moth of Fire Council, Vincent's power is closely related to the strength of the great power behind him.

　Not wanting his own power to be jeopardized, this powerful senator certainly couldn't allow the Sixth Herrscher to continue wreaking havoc on the North American continent.

　“I’m sorry, Congressman Vincent.”

　Dr. Mei bowed gracefully, a hint of helplessness on her face.

　"With the knowledge and information we currently have, I am not yet able to directly provide an effective response strategy."

　She was indeed from the Moth of Flames organization, and arguably one of the world's top scientists, but faced with this...

　She also needs time to study and explore the unprecedented challenges.

　"But we..."

　Before Congressman Vincent could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Congressman Wang.

　“Vincent, please let Dr. May continue. We are all listening to her analysis.”

　Wang's stance is completely opposite to Vincent's.

　For this congressman representing a major East Asian power, allowing the Sixth Herrscher to stay in North America a little longer is in the best interests of both him and the country he represents.

　"Dr. Mei, please continue."

　With Representative Wang taking the lead in attracting hatred, Representative Eugene also went along with it and expressed his agreement.

　Like MP Wang, he hoped to see the country behind MP Vincent suffer setbacks.

　Following the statements of Representatives Wang and Eugene, other members of the Moth Chaser Council also voiced their opinions, supporting Dr. May's continued analysis.

　Given the past practices of the only superpower on the North American continent, it's actually quite reasonable for this situation to arise where everyone is kicking someone when they're down.

　"Thank you."

　After expressing his sincere gratitude, Dr. Mei continued to analyze the firsthand information transmitted back to the Moth of Fire headquarters through various reconnaissance and surveillance methods.

　Just as Dr. Mei was giving a detailed analysis of the Sixth Herrscher's powers to the councilors at the Firemoth high-level meeting, the Firemoth warriors who were facing the black mist released by the Herrscher of Death also keenly sensed the abnormality of the situation.

　"Gudu~"

　The drone operator stared intently at the video feed transmitted by the manned reconnaissance drone, unconsciously swallowing hard.

　The scene on the drone's control panel shocked and unsettled him like never before.

　"Captain, something seems off."

　He nervously reported to the captain of the special operations team.

　Through the real-time footage transmitted by the drone, the operator could clearly see that the once vibrant flowers, plants and trees were mercilessly eroded the moment they came into contact with the black fog, instantly turning into ashes.

　The once sturdy steel and concrete buildings also rapidly crumbled and collapsed under the erosion of the black fog, as if they had encountered some irresistible force.

　This terrifying destructive power is nothing like what Honkai Beasts could cause.

　On the contrary, it's more like the legendary horror—the masterpiece of the Herrscher.

　"Captain, have we been scammed?"

　Another team member looked at the footage transmitted back by the drone, his voice revealing the same confusion and unease as the drone operator.

　The special operations team leader was silent for a moment, his eyes sweeping across the real-time footage transmitted by the drone. The ruins, eroded by the black mist, filled him with an ominous premonition.

　He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm in front of his teammates.

　"We must not lose our composure..."

　The morale-boosting words of the special operations team leader seemed pale and powerless in the face of the anxiety in the hearts of the team members.

　As the eerie black fog drew closer, the psychological defenses of the special operations team members began to crumble.

　When the all-consuming black mist approached within fifty meters of the Fire Moth's defensive line, most of the Fire Moth soldiers stationed there witnessed firsthand the terrifying corrosive power of this horrific black mist.

　At this critical moment of life and death, a soldier, perhaps out of the instinct to survive, or perhaps out of desperation, fired the Honkai Energy Enhanced Assault Rifle in his hand first. A blazing flash of light ripped through the sky, followed by deafening gunfire.

　The gunshot was like igniting a powder keg, instantly igniting the deepest fear and anger within all the team members.

　In an instant, the entire defensive line was in an uproar.

　The roar of assault rifles, the boom of light and heavy machine guns, the howl of rocket launchers, and the sharp whistle of shoulder-fired missile launchers rose and fell, merging into a stirring battle symphony.

　Even the infantry fighting vehicles, which served as heavy firepower, roared into the fray, their artillery fire bursting forth like angry dragons, heading straight for the ever-approaching, eerie black mist.

　Bullets and shells enhanced by Honkai energy poured out like a torrential rain, the flashes of fire and the sounds of gunfire creating a breathtaking scene.

　Ordinary fog would be easily dispersed by this level of iron-fire rain.

　However, this time, these warriors of the Fire Moths faced a black mist created by the Herrscher of Death using the power of [Creation and Decay], a mist capable of corroding everything.

　Faced with the unparalleled power of the Apostle of God, even the Moths soldiers stationed on the outer defenses of the city, who poured all their firepower into the battle, were utterly ineffective, like a stone thrown into the sea.

　It couldn't even slow down the black mist's advance; bullets and shells were swallowed up by the black mist's power the moment they came into contact with it, disappearing without a trace.

　When the soldiers of the Fire Moth finally realized this, they found themselves trapped with nowhere to escape.

　Although the corrosive black mist released by the Herrscher of Death did not spread rapidly, it was still faster than normal humans could outrun on foot.

　The drone operator, positioned further back in the defensive line, witnessed this tragic scene unfold.

　Through the clear images transmitted by the drone, he watched helplessly as his comrades were surrounded one by one by that eerie black mist, silently swallowed up by it, and finally disappeared completely into that suffocating darkness.

Chapter 276 Sacrifice and the Light and Darkness of Humanity

　Hearing the heart-wrenching, desperate cries of his comrades over the headset, the drone operator's heart trembled.

　He stared at the horrifying image on the control panel.

　Those comrades who had been laughing and joking with him not long ago now seemed so vulnerable in the face of that eerie black mist, swallowed up in an instant, turned to ashes, and vanished in the wind.

　"No, that's not true!"

　Muttering to himself, the drone operator refused to accept this harsh reality.

　He angrily ripped off the high-tech helmet that integrated so many functions, threw it aside, and wiped the cold sweat from his face with trembling hands.

　The faces of his comrades-in-arms appeared one by one in his mind—their smiles, their tears, their figures fighting alongside him…

　It became so clear and glaring at this moment, like a sharp blade, cutting deep wounds into his heart.

　In that instant, the drone operator's world completely collapsed.

　Watching the black mist continue to spread toward where he was, knowing he had no hope of survival, he gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with determination.

　"I must find out what we are fighting against!"

　He growled in a low voice, gripped the joystick tightly, and without hesitation, steered the remaining drones into the ever-expanding depths of the black fog.

　Just before the black mist was about to engulf him, he finally saw the truth behind the scenes—a beautiful figure stood on the shoulder of the purple-white behemoth, coldly looking down at everything.

　"Herrscher! Damn Moths of Flame!"

　He roared, his voice filled with anger and resentment at the deception and betrayal.

　Unfortunately, this curse became the drone operator's final cry.

　In the next moment, he too was swallowed up by the eerie black mist, turned into ashes, and vanished in the wind.

　Through the highest level of access to the drone's operating system, the Moth Chaser Council clearly captured the figure of the Sixth Herrscher, the Herrscher of Death.

　Of course, they also heard the drone operator's desperate cries in his final moments.

　However, in the eyes of the members of the Moth Chaser Council, those shouts were nothing more than a fleeting cloud.

　They wouldn't lower themselves to dwell on or feel sorry for a lost life.

　Wouldn't it be better to use that time and energy to focus on other things?

　For example, several plans proposed by Dr. Mei to test the powers of the Sixth Herrscher are waiting for them to select and decide.

　As for Dr. Mei, she also heard the drone operator's resentful roar.

　However, aside from silently apologizing in her heart, she did not linger.

　Some things are destined to be borne by someone.

　In order to advance the second phase of the "Fusion Warrior Mass Production Plan", Dr. May would even take the initiative to devise combat plans that would send the Fire Moth warriors participating in the plan to their deaths.

　So now, in order to accurately grasp the powers of the Sixth Herrscher, sacrifice is an unavoidable price to pay.

　However, this optimal solution based on the overall situation is often a different story at the individual level.

　Just as the members of the Firemoth Council were fiercely debating, trying to decide which of Dr. Mei's proposals to adopt to continue testing the true nature of the Sixth Herrscher's powers, the Herrscher of Death's actions continued.

　She commanded the black mist that eroded everything, spreading little by little toward the city center, turning everything in its path into ashes.

　After the black mist greedily devoured the last warrior sent to the city by the Fire Moth, it began to erode the outer walls of the city's shelters, which should have been indestructible against the Honkai Beast hordes, at an alarming rate.

　Despite the meticulous design and strict control over every detail during the construction of these shelters, without any omissions or shortcuts, they still proved utterly vulnerable to the corrosive black mist forged by the Herrscher of Death's power of [Creation and Decay].

　The black fog surged in like a tidal wave, and wherever it went, the outer walls of the shelter crumbled, revealing its fragile internal structure.

　The residents of the shelter witnessed this scene, their hearts filled with fear and despair.

　They tried to escape the land that was about to be swallowed by darkness, but to their despair they found that the shelter was already shrouded in a black mist that was being corrupted.

　They had nowhere to run.

　"The Firemoth has betrayed us! This is no ordinary Honkai Beast, it's a Herrscher!"

　At the critical moment of life and death, these people who had been cowering in the shelter finally realized the truth.

　They angrily condemned the deception of the Fire Moths, while also denouncing the privileged who chose to flee the city through other means instead of fighting alongside them.

　But as the black fog relentlessly engulfed them, the people inside the shelter were left without even a final outlet for their anger.

　The opportunity has vanished.

　The black mist, like the tentacles of death, was close at hand, and the complexities of human nature began to emerge one by one.

　Fear spread like a plague, and people fled in a frantic rush, pushing and shoving each other in an attempt to carve out a space for themselves in the crowded throng.