Honkai Impact 3rd: The Girl Who Chases the Flame

"The genius girl Melutina, that was after Kosmo died."

Merutina, the fusion warrior, that was after Vanessa's death.

Melutina's gentleness towards her companions began after Adam's death.

In terms of bearing the lives of others, Sagara and Meludina are actually no different.

Yes……

"Is someone who keeps walking on the legacy of others a person, or a living corpse?"

This is the only real source of confusion.

"I...no, but since I've received such a kindness, it's only right to repay it!"

"That's how it is."

Linna shook her head.

"But love is not."

"Then what have you understood?!"

Melutina, trying to hide her guilt, questioned loudly.

"In the past, I had my own appearance, but I resided in the hearts of others."

Linnaeus walked step by step until he stood before Melutina.

"Now I imitate the appearance of others, but I have my own heart."

"But this is a betrayal!"

Melutina screamed, her voice becoming shriller than ever before.

"I haven't betrayed anyone!"

Linnaeus responded with a roar in return.

"But I want to live my own life!"

She patted her chest and said loudly.

"See that?! I'm not Mebius! I'm not Alicia! They wouldn't talk like that!"

The vague sense of familiarity she once possessed was gone; instead, she exuded a feeling different from both the past and the present…

A strong will resides within it.

"No matter how well I act, all I can prove is that I am ultimately a person named 'Merutina'!"

Linnai cornered her, leaving her with nowhere to retreat.

"But what about you! Are you a living survivor, or a spirit from the past?"

"No, but...this isn't right...this isn't right..."

"The blessings they gave you weren't for overcoming the Honkai, nor for inheriting their legacy, were they?"

This is the only point we absolutely cannot get wrong again.

This is the only point that must never be changed based on one's mood.

This is the only point, and there has never been an exception.

"Live well..."

Linna reached out and hugged Melutina tightly, as if hugging her former, cowardly self.

"This is what you should do for them and be proud of."

Even if others see it as selfish.

Even if others see it as escapism.

But as Klein's senior sister said, it's really just—

Be strong, Melutina.

It's just a simple sentence.

We are not fighting for the future.

It's not about striving for an ideal.

Don't let hatred lead you astray.

Because that's what they want you to do...

It's just about surviving.

They placed their will and aspirations on so many people, but in reality, no one entrusted Melutina with such hopes.

They just hope...

Children who walk through the mud can survive.

Therefore, Linnaeus didn't actually betray anyone.

She betrayed her mission.

Then, she chose the wishes entrusted to her by her favorite people.

She wants—

Live well.

……

Welcome back.

The moment the light vanished, the labyrinth perished with it. Melutina Karl von Linnaeus, the only Melutina, stood before that god.

"Merudina".

Chapter Five: Thunderous Judgment

"What do you want, Qianjie? I've never heard you mention it before."

"Huh? How could I possibly tell you?"

"We're going to the moon tomorrow, and this is very likely the last time we'll see each other. How about we exchange some secrets?"

Are you an idiot?

"I'm very serious."

"……Home."

"Eh?"

"I want... a home. But that's all I want; I don't deserve it."

"..."

"What's wrong? Go ahead and laugh if you want. Anyway, I've only told you this before."

"Do not……"

Qianjie saw that, in the moonlight, the usually aloof girl's face was flushed, and she finally stammered,

"I also want... a home."

"..."

.........

"Let me make this clear beforehand, I haven't agreed with you yet."

"...You really are stubborn."

"What should be defeated is the collapse, not the memories."

"Wow, what kind of 'model student' remarks are these..."

“However, I understand that you did not betray them, so I will assist you.”

"..."

"what happened?"

"Tsundere?"

"Shut up."

Melutina stood before this white presence, her brows slightly furrowed.

Without a word, a massive influx of data has arrived, but useless information is instantly filtered out.

Do you want to talk to me?

Melutina asked,

"Or... are you trying to set me up?"

"..."

No words were spoken.

But Melutina wasn't in the mood to argue with her anymore; she already knew what she had to do with this space.

"Next time..."

Melutina's eyes slowly deformed, overflowing with Honkai energy far exceeding that of the Second Herrscher.

“I will pay you back double, you self-proclaimed god.”

The Honkai Energy Index is rising, breaking through the critical point.

"The third collapse, feel the end of the stars!"

A black dragon soared into the sky, with Melutina standing atop it. Her limbs were covered in scales, and her half-human, half-dragon form possessed a strange and twisted beauty.

This power can only be used when Meludina and Sagara are 100% fused, and it is one of the strongest symbols of the previous civilization era.

She raised the Third Divine Key high, transforming into a lance—a form unique to Meltina, and what followed was her signature move.