The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

They have absolutely no sense of arrogance about robbing others of their food.

"Bronya..."

“Bullying children is not something adults do.”

"Who are you two calling a child?!" Black Talisman's eyes widened, almost shouting "Grasp of the Void!"

Just as the two were about to start arguing, Kiana and Mei, who arrived late, stepped in to mediate.

Although neither of them knew exactly what had happened, it was at a critical juncture nonetheless.

Disputes are always detrimental.

Only by uniting as one can we find the mysterious person responsible for the problem and resolve it.

However...

The two of them actually misunderstood Bronya.

"These are all gambles."

Bronya said casually, then pointed to the playing cards scattered on the beach carpet beside her.

Clearly, what she meant was that Black Fu lost to her because of the hot dogs and all that.

Perhaps that is why Hei Fu's feelings were limited to mere resentment?

"Never mind, there are still plenty of hot dogs here. I can grill them up later when I have time."

Hei Fu waved his hand, his expression one of profound understanding, a stark contrast to his earlier childish stomping and waving.

She is straightforward and decisive, like a child, but not naive.

"But you two, why are you interrupting so hastily? Is it because you've finally realized something's wrong here?"

Hei Fu cracked his neck and got straight to the point.

That's right, she had realized long ago that this world was not made of matter.

It's somewhat like a data space composed of fragments of consciousness, which is why different regions have distinct environmental characteristics, resembling the regionalization trend of online games.

Only those involved know why this happened.

But one thing is certain: if we sit idly by and wait for our demise, the very people who started all this will soon begin to act.

Whatever she's planning to do, if she succeeds, it's a failure on my part.

Haha, the mastermind behind it all, you've run into the real Fu Hua. You can only blame your bad luck.

Black Talisman thought smugly, already regarding the mastermind behind the scenes as the final boss of a game.

Kiana and Mei were surprised by the black rune's eagerness to try it out, but they didn't say much.

It's already great that she's interested in helping, and it's even better that she's so eager to help.

“Very well, then... can you help us, Bronya?”

Kiana scratched the back of her head, then spoke to Bronya, who had remained silent for some time.

After hearing her words, Bronya blinked gently, then stroked her chin and fell into thought.

After a long wait, the two received a satisfactory answer.

"can."

"Huh?"

"I can't think of a reason to refuse."

Upon hearing this, the two of them both smiled.

Yeah, I can't think of a reason to refuse.

Because there was simply no reason to refuse.

After all, we're good friends.

The three exchanged knowing smiles and then began to discuss their respective intelligence.

"Alicia and Kevin have both disappeared. I suspect it was done by someone behind the scenes."

"Disappeared? Is he dead?" Hei Fu stroked his chin and looked at Mei.

"uncertain."

Mei shook her head, then admitted, "I can't think of many ways to eliminate the existence of fusion warriors without anyone noticing."

You have to understand that those are fusion warriors, ultimate weapons that can rival or even crush the Herrschers.

How could such a nuclear-level figure die so easily?

Therefore, Mei tends to believe that the two people have been bewitched or sealed away in some unknown place.

Black Talisman did not object to Mei's opinion.

However, her keen intuition quickly led her to ask a pointed question: "If the mastermind arrested those two, what was her purpose? From what you've said, these two are quite powerful, right? Wouldn't it be very difficult to control them?"

"That...you're absolutely right. Kiana, Bronya, what do you think?"

Mei turned her head and looked at Kiana and Bronya.

At that moment, the two were whispering to each other, seemingly having a private conversation.

After a long exchange and discussion, the two remained silent.

He silently turned his head away.

Seeing the gazes of her two close friends, Mei rubbed her shoulders somewhat uncomfortably.

"what happened?"

Kiana breathed a sigh of relief.

Although this conjecture is strange and peculiar.

But the information I just exchanged with Bronya basically matches this conjecture.

This also explains why the world feels so much like a dream.

"Hmm...Mei, I have a bold idea."

"Oh? What are your thoughts?"

"You... haven't actually left Paradise."

"What?"

Mei stared in disbelief, not knowing what Kiana was talking about.

I... didn't actually leave Paradise?

Are you kidding me?! If I were still in Paradise, why would I see you? Bronya? And this childish guy who looks like the class monitor?

My understanding should be correct, right? How could such data possibly appear in Paradise?

According to Kevin himself, the records of the Land of the Dead mainly consist of data from the past.

Therefore, it is absolutely impossible for future data to appear!

Without data, how can the data be presented? This is all just too...

However, just as Mei was feeling extremely confused and lost, she saw Kiana...

Suddenly, all the questions were answered.

"Kiana, if you're right, then... perhaps one of us has already been corrupted? Ouch...it hurts...my head hurts so much..."

As Mei spoke, she suddenly covered her forehead and cried out in pain.

Such a reaction should, in theory, have made Kiana feel heartbroken.

However, seeing Mei complaining in front of her, Kiana did not offer any words of comfort or go forward to show concern.

This behavior doesn't mean Kiana has changed her mind; rather, it means the fog that had been obscuring her heart has finally dissipated.

"You... you've almost perfectly imitated the real thing; everything looks just like the real thing, but..."

Kiana looked around and finally realized that the black rune and Bronya were gone.

Instead, there are... some strange Honkai Beasts that resemble both machines and amusement park toys.

Oh no, to be precise, it's data turbulence.

"...Hehe~"

Finally, after being completely exposed, Mei no longer maintained her cold and beautiful face, but instead revealed a wicked smile that Kiana had never seen before.

For some reason, seeing this mysterious guy making such an expression on his beloved face made me feel strange.

Kiana inexplicably felt anger...

"Who are you? Why is your imitation of Mei so... realistic?"

"Me? I am Mei."

Mei clapped her hands with a cold laugh, and the world instantly went dark.

It's like the system has restarted...

When the light shines on the earth again, Kiana is surprised to find that she has returned to that rooftop in her memory where she parted ways with Mei.

Why did I come here?

The sudden and strange sight left Kiana somewhat bewildered.

She raised the Blazing King Sword and surveyed the rooftop with a serious expression.

If there is anything unusual at the scene, she is absolutely certain that she can solve the problem!

"Don't be so nervous~"

The sudden female voice beside her sent a chill down Kiana's spine.

She turned around abruptly and found that 'Mei' was breathing into her ear.

Mei could never do something so frivolous.

"Who exactly are you? Are you no longer going to pretend?"