Honkai Impact 3rd: The Girl Who Chases the Flame

Page 80

Qianjie pursed his lips, but instead of stepping on it, he sat down with a disgruntled expression and crossed his legs.

“I would never violate public morality for such a trivial matter; that would only make me seem like a nobody.”

Nino didn't know whether he was joking or serious when he said this.

"If I'm going to do it, I'll make everyone hate me to the core. That way, it'll have some meaning."

"Huh? Are you an idiot? What's the point?"

Qianjie chuckled.

No, I misspoke.

Nino tore open the sandwich bag he was carrying.

"In the beginning, it didn't make any sense... So? What are you here for?"

“I’ve been really bored lately. Even the Moths that chase fire aren’t allowed to fight amongst themselves, saying they want to prevent ‘Mei from fainting again in the hospital.’”

Qianjie curled his lip.

"Didn't you just get beaten up?"

"You said it yourself, I was beaten up, it doesn't count as a private fight."

"...Okay, what you say makes sense."

Nino reached for the sandwich, only to find his hands were empty.

"...So, I'm very free."

Qianjie stuffed the sandwich into his mouth without any expression.

"Click".

Nino felt as if a string in his brain had snapped again.

Post-Collapse Side Story: From the Past, Towards the Future

"Hey senior, let me tell you, the coffee shop I went to the other day was amazing!"

"Carol, what are you doing, fooling around again while on duty..."

"Oh dear, it was almost time to get off work by then, really!"

On the street, passersby watched the two bickering young couple with smiles on their faces.

This is eight years after the Great Collapse. Although the world has recovered from the disaster, the shadow of the apocalypse still lingers in the hearts of mankind.

Some wounds take time to heal, but others deepen with time.

These cities, reborn from disaster, always favor young people because they hope their lives can be as vibrant as those young people's.

This is a city in Europe. A few days ago, traces of Honkai energy were detected here, and a week ago, the current Archbishop Theresa ordered Schicksal to send members of the Honkai Third Squad to investigate.

Meanwhile, the two arguing on the street are Adam, a male team member with rare Honkai energy resistance, and Carol, a problematic newcomer from the third squad.

They walked until they reached a four-story building, where they found their captain already waiting.

"Waaaah... Captain..."

Carol's face immediately fell; she knew what it meant for the captain to be waiting there.

Based on her experience, this meant that what she was about to hear was definitely not good news.

"What's wrong? Why does our usually lively Carol look like that?"

Whether she genuinely didn't notice or was pretending not to, Raiden Mei looked at them and smiled.

"Captain...do we have work to do again?"

Carol asked tentatively.

"What do you mean 'more work to do'? We're here on a mission, not on vacation!"

Raiden Mei shook her head helplessly and tapped Carol on the head.

In her opinion, the newcomer was excellent and kind, but lacked effort and awareness.

"Captain, have we found the source of the Honkai energy?"

As a senior colleague, Adam wasn't as unreliable as Carol, and he asked.

"Found it. According to Dr. Einstein, there is a Schicksal Assistant in this city who has identified the source of the residual Honkai energy."

Raiden Mei opened the electronic map on her hand.

"Hmm... judging from Dr. Einstein's evasive words, he's probably someone I know. Honestly, it wouldn't hurt to tell me."

Not many of her old acquaintances remain, and Raiden Mei wants to see her former friends again.

"Perhaps the other party also has some unspeakable difficulties."

Adam offered words of comfort.

"That's true. If it's because of the Honkai, seeing me might trigger painful memories for the other person."

Upon hearing this, Raiden Mei nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation.

"It would be wonderful if anyone could move on from their grief and start a new life."

Wow, so mature! The captain is so handsome!

Carol's eyes lit up.

"Yes, really? I was just speaking from the heart."

Carol's frank praise made Raiden Mei a little embarrassed.

"After all, the captain is a hero of the Great Collapse. Ordinary people can't be as powerful as the captain."

Adam nodded in deep agreement.

"How come even you are... Alright, stop being so glib."

Raiden Mei shook her head helplessly.

"You all know the mission location, right? Third squad, move out."

……

Just as the three people left, a figure appeared from the window on the third floor of the small building next door.

It seemed that she had heard every word of the conversation.

"Too low alertness, too high self-esteem, and..."

The woman leaning against the window rested her chin on her right hand and idly fiddled with her hair with her left.

"Too old."

"The last one is out too, Medie."

"What are you saying? I'm forever 24 years old, and Lisser, you're forever 17!"

Melutina said matter-of-factly.

"Why am I so small...?"

From the communicator behind her came Dr. Einstein's helpless voice.

"Hum..."

Melutina turned her gaze to the boy walking at the back and let out a cryptic laugh.

"What's wrong? Why are you smiling so creepily? And my dear Dr. Meltina Carl von Linnaeus, is there any need to hide this from Mei this time? I remember you used to always beg to touch her horns, didn't you?"

Dr. Einstein's voice sounded somewhat confused.

"My 'Big' Dr. Lisser Albert Einstein, who said I was avoiding Mei?"

Melutina watched as the third squad completely disappeared into the street.

"Besides, she doesn't let me touch her horns anymore, so in my heart she's no longer a VIP."

"Ugh, that was awful... Hey, Melutina, are you sure this isn't a big deal?"

Another voice came from behind; it belonged to another old friend she knew very well.

"It's not a big problem... but it can teach that little girl a lesson."

Melutina smiled slightly.

"You're all at the age where you could be an auntie, it's not good to underestimate your opponent."

"Huh? What are you talking about, you old lady who's over 50,000 years old?"

Dr. Tesla remained as hot-tempered as ever.

"Before saying that, don't forget that you and I are on the same side, my dear Dr. Tesla."