Genshin Impact: Starting Guide - End of the World Qi Bao

Sakura laughed in exasperation.

"Betray humanity? My sister is innocent! Rin didn't resist at all when you captured her! She even cooperated! Rin is innocent! She did nothing wrong, you can't arbitrarily label her a threat, much less imprison her!"

“A special Honkai energy reaction was detected in Rin’s body. Without a doubt, she is the Twelfth Herrscher.”

"What does that prove? You and I both have Honkai Beast genes within us, yet we are fusion warriors who protect humanity. Rin has no symptoms whatsoever; she can control that power, and she won't harm anyone. You...you can't take away her life!"

Kevin was also getting anxious; he didn't want to turn against his former comrade.

“Sakura, I understand how you feel. But the Eleventh Herrscher’s power is beyond everyone’s imagination. No one could have imagined that disaster would strike in that form. We can’t afford another loss like that. Rin’s situation is very special, but she must be supervised. Please trust that Dr. Mei will make a wise judgment.”

“I don’t doubt Dr. Mei’s character, but I can’t trust the Moths of Fire. Kevin, do you know how those people have always looked at us? Even if we defeat the Honkai, we will be the ones who are settled, and neither you nor I, as variables, can escape unscathed. I don’t care what happens to me, I can accept whatever fate I have, it’s what I should do. But now, Rin, my most important and only family member has fallen into their hands, I absolutely cannot stand idly by.”

After saying this, Sakura placed her hand on her katana and slowly pulled it out a little, speaking in an icy tone.

"Get out of the way...!"

Kevin stretched out a hand.

“Sakura, the Moths of Fire need you, we need you. I won’t hurt you, but I won’t let you through here either.”

"No need for further words, Kevin. You haven't seen my true abilities yet."

Kevin, wielding his greatsword, slowly approached Sakura, one step, two steps.

……

Time seemed to stand still for a moment; it was as if it hadn't even taken a blink or a breath before Sakura disappeared in front of Kevin.

Kevin was shocked and turned around abruptly, only to find Sakura behind him, already some distance away.

Just as Kevin was about to give chase, an alarm went off, and Mei's voice came through the communicator on his waist.

"Kevin, where are you? I need you to move out immediately."

"What's wrong, Mei?"

"The Herald has awakened."

……

Chapter 162 Erosion

The thirteenth of the Thirteen Heroes of the Fire Chaser, Padofelis, ranking does not represent strength (although I am indeed at the bottom in terms of strength). 'Empty Dream'

Sakura glanced behind her and was relieved to see that Kevin wasn't chasing after her. If she could, she really wouldn't want to fight him.

Sakura was puzzled as to why there were so many assassins on the road, but she didn't have time to think about it. Her immediate priority was her sister, so she rushed to Rin's cell. The air was thick with the smell of blood.

She silently prayed that her sister was alright and hadn't been attacked by the assassins. But the moment she opened the cell door, Sakura collapsed to the ground with a thud, her eyes losing their luster, and even her fox ears drooping.

……

She stared at the dismembered body of Bell before her, as if everything in the world had nothing to do with her, and that anything could kill her now.

"Ring... if... if my sister had come a little earlier... would the ending have been different now...?"

As assassins gradually approached Sakura, she remained unmoved, her heart already broken. Just as one assassin reached her and raised his blade, Kevin, arriving just in time, swiftly dispatched him. Kevin looked at Sakura, unsure how to comfort her, and could only softly call out to her.

"cherry......"

His calls went unanswered. The girl before him seemed to have fallen into some unseen abyss along with her deceased sister. Kevin had imagined that Sakura would be surprised, confused, angry, or cry out. He had envisioned countless possible outcomes, but now, Sakura simply sat there quietly, refusing to wake up no matter how much others called to her.

At that moment, Mei's voice came through his communicator.

"Kevin, please reply if you receive this. How are things on your end?"

"May, this is Kevin. The assassins on the 33rd underground floor have all been eliminated."

"Thank you for your hard work. All the assassins on the other floors have been eliminated. Has the Herrscher herself reacted at all?"

Kevin was silent for a moment, then looked at Sakura and the shattered bell on the ground...

"Nothing unusual."

"It cannot be concluded that the crisis has been resolved yet. We will continue to observe, and support will arrive soon."

"receive."

Kevin crouched down and whispered to Sakura.

"The Twelfth Herrscher's ability is to release a large amount of airborne corrosive virus at the moment of death. Without our knowledge, the soldiers in the base executed her without authorization, which inadvertently awakened the Herrscher. This assassin crisis was caused by Rin. Sakura, you are wrong. Your sister is a genuine Herrscher. You must take responsibility for your intrusion."

Hua, ranked twelfth among the Thirteen Heroes of Chasing Fire, is listed here. Ranking does not reflect actual strength. (Words in this section are not included in the main text.)

Sakura remained silent and did not respond, while Juexi, who had wandered over hoping to find a bargain (to pick up power), overheard the entire conversation and her blood pressure spiked. Juexi suddenly appeared and questioned Kevin.

"No, Kevin, did the war make you stupid? If the soldiers hadn't disposed of Sakura's sister without authorization, how could this crisis have happened? Are you even being reasonable? Sakura's original intention was to take her sister away and run away, didn't you know that? Even if Sakura had taken her sister and run away, even if her sister later went out of control, it wouldn't have caused such a big crisis today. You don't blame those soldiers who acted on their own, but you want to punish Sakura?"

Kevin's tone was devoid of any emotion; he spoke coldly.

"Even if we stop those people, sooner or later someone else, something else, will become the final straw that breaks her back. It's fortunate she's here today; if this unstable factor were to erupt outside, how many more ordinary people would die? Do you know that, Mu Juexi? From the moment Ling was chosen to become a Herrscher, her fate was already sealed. This is Honkai!..."

Kevin became more and more agitated as he spoke, his expression turning somewhat fierce, as if he had remembered something. He clenched his fists, trying to calm himself down, but the trembling of his body betrayed his pain and anger.

Jue Xi was speechless for a moment, then remembered something and mocked in a somewhat sarcastic tone.

"Kevin, are you sure it's a stroke of luck that this happened here? You don't actually think that this is all the corruption the Twelfth Herrscher can do, do you?"

Kevin felt inexplicably nervous upon hearing Jue Xi's words. But the Herrscher certainly wouldn't let Kevin think it through, as Mei's voice suddenly came through the communicator at his waist again.

"Kevin...Kevin, can you hear me?"

The communicator was filled with loud static, confirming Kevin's unease; the erosion was far more than that. Mei continued speaking before Kevin could reply.

"Something's happened. The Herrscher hasn't been eliminated yet."

"What did you say?!"

"The base's systems have been attacked by a virus, and the defenses have been completely compromised. All equipment and robots have fallen under the enemy's control, and they are now further attempting to seize control of the nuclear missile silos."

"Hang in there, I'm coming right away!"

"The Twelfth Herrscher... is an ultimate virus with self-awareness... This is... the true (form) of erosion..."

The communication system was completely paralyzed.

Jue Xi didn't know what she was thinking, but she felt inexplicably happy and wanted to kick someone when they were down.

"How about it?"

After saying that, he spoke in a sarcastic tone.

"Thank goodness it's here~~"

Kevin frowned. He couldn't be bothered to argue with Juexi; he didn't want anything to happen to Mei. Kevin turned to Juexi and said...

"Take Sakura and leave here quickly."

Jue Xi was also unwilling to accept defeat and pressed his advantage.

"You're used to bossing others around? And now you want to boss me around? Seriously, what kind of time is your Moth Chaser organization? You're facing internal and external troubles. Your soldiers were killed by Yingjie's sister. It's laughable. Is this some new hellish joke?"

Gretchen, the eleventh of the Thirteen Heroes Who Chase Fire; ranking does not reflect strength. (From "Stars")

Just as Kevin was about to say something, Sakura, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up.

"Rin, are you still alive?"

The sudden sound seemed to have the power to freeze the air. Neither of them continued arguing. Sakura stood up blankly, staring at Kevin, as if trying to hear something. Juexi answered immediately.

"Alive, but not fully alive."

Sakura asked.

"Kevin, where is she?"

Kevin suddenly guessed what Sakura was thinking.

"Sakura, what are you doing? She's right now."

Sakura didn't wait for Kevin to continue, interrupting him decisively.

"I'm going to find her."

Kevin, who hadn't gotten angry even when Juexi teased him, suddenly exploded.

"Are you crazy? She's not your sister Rin anymore, she's a Herrscher now!"

“No, Kevin. Ling must be very lonely right now. She’s always been a child who’s afraid of being alone. It’s my fault for not coming to see her for so long. Right now… she must be very scared. Ling needs me.”

"Don't joke around! Rin is dead! She's now the Erosion!"

Sakura didn't speak; she placed her hand on the katana again and pulled it out.

"Sakura, stop!"

Swah——

With a single strike, Sakura's blade froze the space around her. Everything stood still, and for those few seconds, she was the only one capable of movement. Without hesitation, Sakura swiftly departed.

When Kevin came to his senses, Sakura and Juexi had already disappeared. Kevin never expected that Juexi would get rid of the influence faster than he did, but he still went to Mei's location as soon as possible.

"So, Juexi is still more capable than me?"

Then Kevin suddenly felt a sense of relief.

"Alright."

......

Mebius, ranked tenth among the Thirteen Heroes of the Flame Chaser, is ranked in a way that does not reflect his actual strength. (The phrase "Infinite" is a colloquial expression and doesn't directly reflect his abilities.)

The ninth of the Thirteen Heroes of Chasing Fire, Kosmo, is ranked; ranking does not reflect strength. (From "Aurora")

Eighth on the Thirteen Heroes of the Flame Chaser list, Sakura. Ranking does not represent strength. (A fleeting moment)

Chapter 163 Desire

Juexi had only just recovered from the spatial freeze effect. He hadn't experienced it before, and now he realized just how powerful Sakura was. That last strike had even frozen the ideal fluid passively surrounding him; truly worthy of the inscription "Moment."

Juexi, who had just caught up with Sakura, witnessed her confrontation with 'Erosion'. Juexi thought indifferently.

"Sisterly love, it would be great if there was popcorn here."

Sakura looked at her younger sister in silence for a long time, as if she had a lot to say, but why didn't she know what to say? Sakura just silently looked at Rin.

Erosion grinned mischievously at the fox-eared girl in front of him.