The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

"Even you find it hard?"

"Of course, after all, besides helping you occasionally, I also need to spare some energy to take care of them."

Celine tossed her ponytail, looking very elegant.

She slowly turned her gaze to the nurse who was giving her colleagues injections and looked eager to join in.

Then he turned around and looked at Bronya and the others.

"This enemy looks troublesome, but they can handle it with their skill level. What are you planning to do next? Host, if you want to rest, why don't you ask your best friend for leave and stay in the back to watch the battle?"

"What? What kind of suggestion is this? I refuse."

Kiana ignored the system's teasing, and simply retreated slowly, gently jumping to Bronya's side and asking:

Are you alright?

"Hmm? Teammate, you look like you've recovered."

"Hehe, how can you talk like that? I'm perfectly healthy."

Kiana blinked energetically, seemingly unconcerned about the battlefield before her.

It's also possible that he only forced that expression to calm himself down?

Bronya wasn't sure whether it was true or not.

However, she knew that she and her teammates might be facing a group of rather difficult enemies.

"Hoo... get ready for battle."

After discovering that the monsters were all glowing red, seemingly having received a very powerful enhancement.

Bronya's eyes showed a slight change in emotion.

She raised her gun, then reached out to stop Kiana, who was about to pounce.

"Stay in the rear and cover us, team members."

"Huh?! That's not right, why do I have to stay in the back and provide cover... Shouldn't he be doing that?"

Kiana pointed to the only male team member present, Lyle, as she spoke.

The poor young man scratched the back of his head.

"While I am indeed a support staff member, buddy... I'm not..."

For some reason, Kiana's words made him feel as if he was being excluded.

It's really embarrassing to say it in front of everyone.

"What? How can you help? Just wait patiently in the back."

Unfortunately, even though Lyle showed signs of discomfort, Kiana still spoke as if nothing was wrong.

She doesn't think it's a good thing to let ordinary people who aren't strong enough face danger directly.

After all, in her view, only the Valkyries are the main force in fighting the Honkai, and involving unrelated people would only harm others.

However, this is such a simple and easy-to-understand principle.

It seems that they are no longer adapted to the times.

"No, you stay behind and recuperate. Control your agitated emotions; we will take the lead in the next battle."

After saying this, Bronya forcefully reached out to stop Kiana, who was itching to make a move, and then winked at her teammates.

Soon, the three set off for the front, ready to meet the monster who looked like a nurse but was unusually manic.

Kiana, left standing behind, swung her sword indignantly, then stuck it into the ground, looking utterly dejected.

"What the heck! Why did you exclude me? Ugh... It's infuriating just thinking about it. Honestly, I thought she'd be more sensible now that she's grown up, but she seems exactly the same as before!"

"Host, you don't need to be so angry."

Sirin's reaction to Kiana's complaints was perfectly in line with her own, and she seemed to be playing the peacemaker.

She sighed, and then began to explain:

"You've put in so much effort just now, it wouldn't hurt to take a break, would it?"

That's what they say, but... oh well, never mind.

Although being excluded is quite frustrating, if she insists on doing so...

Kiana didn't want to put her best friend in a difficult position, so she could only watch from the back.

Meanwhile, the fighting on the front lines was raging fiercely.

Although the monsters were strengthened, they still couldn't cause much trouble thanks to the combined efforts of the third squad members.

However, their combat power did indeed increase to some extent after they went berserk.

Although he couldn't completely dominate the scene, he still kept Bronya and the others in a flurry of activity for quite some time.

"Uh...it's a bit difficult."

Bronya swung her lightsaber, annihilating the charging monster with a powerful blow, and then continued to inflict heavy damage on the enemy with her firepower.

Just as she was launching her attacks, several flying monsters suddenly rushed over.

These guys used the shields covering their bodies to forcefully close the distance between themselves and Bronya.

Just as the enemy's attack was about to arrive, Timido, the youngest member of the squad, glided behind Bronya.

"Captain, let me help you!"

She leaped into the air and began using her skillful ice-based techniques to break through the monsters' shields.

The crisis was averted instantly. Bronya nodded, then raised her gun and aimed at the nurse-type enemy that was still empowering the monster.

Why are we all different now? (Honkai Impact 3rd): Chapter Eleven: Flame's Decisive Strike

"Hehehahaha!!!"

Strangely enough, unlike those monsters that had no consciousness at all, this enemy behaved like a madman.

What's even more surprising is that she seems to have her own consciousness and is able to communicate through language.

This alone was enough to make her stand out among the group of monsters who couldn't speak and could only roar.

It is precisely because of this that Kiana and Bronya are so wary of him.

"Sirin, do you think this monster can communicate? Could she be an enemy on par with a Herrscher?"

After witnessing how the other party could enhance their companions, Kiana inexplicably began to worry about Bronya, with whom she had recently had a falling out.

Ultimately, although she didn't particularly like this friend who used to always tease her.

But no matter what, the other person is someone I've been through thick and thin with, and besides... why has she become so likable since our new encounter?

"It's strange, maybe it's because the changes are so drastic that I'm not used to it? I feel like there's something stuck in my heart, hmm..."

"Host, what are you muttering about?"

"Cough cough! It's nothing, what's wrong?"

Seeing Kiana's embarrassed expression, as if she had been seen through, Sirin covered her forehead and sighed, then turned her gaze to the distant battlefield.

At this moment, Bronya and the others were already in a fierce battle because the nurse with the oversized syringe had finally joined the fray.

This guy is incredibly strong; even just wildly swinging his arms can create a whooshing sound.

Being hit directly is even worse; several monsters have already been thrown far away due to accidental injury.

Overall, she's more of a berserker than a nurse.

Moreover, it's the kind of special monster that can inflict Berserk on its companions.

"It's a bit tricky, but it's not as bad as you think, is it?"

Xilin spread her hands, somewhat speechless.

"An enemy of this caliber is really nothing compared to a Herrscher. You should know that better than I do. What? You're feeling sorry for your good sister because she's in danger?"

"What do you mean, 'feeling sorry for her'? Don't talk nonsense. I'm just... a little worried that something might happen to her. After all, I don't want to lose her again..."

Kiana answered somewhat awkwardly, her words revealing a hint of embarrassment.

Seeing this, Xilin slowly yawned.

"In that case, let's get ready?"

"how?"

"While I said they are capable of taking down this enemy, it doesn't mean there are no risks. Hmm... judging from the current trend, it'll be quick."

No sooner had she finished speaking than the nurse, after enduring a barrage of attacks from the third squad members, finally collapsed to her knees.

"what!!!"

The incredibly human-like monster emitted a piercing wail, as if it were suffering some kind of immense pain.

Seeing this, the three members of the third squad looked at each other in bewilderment, and then continued their pursuit.

However, when the team's only melee fighter charged towards the enemy, intending to attack...

"What's going on? What's with all this mist?!"

Accompanying the nurse's wails was a strange wave of air that made one feel weak all over simply by touching it.

The surge of air caused the previously excellent battlefield rhythm to collapse instantly.

"Captain, danger!"

Reminded by Lyle, Bronya, who was providing aerial fire support, reacted instantly and hurriedly jumped to the side.

However, even though she reacted quickly, it was ultimately too late.

With a whoosh, the oversized syringe that the nurse had thrown to the ground flew away like an anti-aircraft missile.

Finally, the needle was aimed directly at Bronya's slender waist.

What would happen if this attack hit...?

I'm afraid even she doesn't know.