K424 of the Collapse World

"His paranoia led to his caution, which helped humans defeat the thirteen Herrschers before the end of the world, allowing humans of that era to live until the last moment before the end of the world. However, it was precisely because of his paranoia that the era missed the opportunity to defeat the Herrscher of the End. If he had believed that the will of mankind had a chance to defeat Honkai, and led those pseudo-Herrschers who had defeated the will of Honkai, he would not have been defeated by the Herrscher of the End in the end... Of course, it was fortunate that they failed in the end. If Honkai had been completely eliminated in the last era, they would not have prepared any follow-up plans since they knew nothing about the truth of Honkai. The final outcome would probably be that they would be caught by the mastermind behind the scenes. If it had developed to that point, we would not even have the chance to be born in this world. In the final analysis... we still have to thank them, as well as the struggles of those people in the more than 200,000 reincarnations before. The data and documents and precious relics they left behind will help us break the cycle of Honkai!"

The silver-haired girl gradually became more passionate, and Tesla couldn't help but feel that this girl seemed to be really sure of defeating Honkai. However, she vaguely felt that something was wrong. This way of speaking, which was like a speech, was a bit inconsistent with the girl's usual speaking style. Instead, she sounded a bit like a certain bishop of destiny who was good at eloquent speech...

"Shilis, this is really your own decision, and you weren't lured into this trap by that golden-haired bishop, right?"

"Well, I am the leader of the whole plan, and the Bishop of Destiny is just helping me to fill in the details. Frey, no matter what the final success rate is, can we afford the consequences of failure? If we want to get rid of the control of advanced civilization, this is the only way we can do it..."

"Yeah... that's right."

Tesla was speechless for a moment because of the sudden heavy topic. After noticing this, a smile appeared on the girl's face again.

"The factors of collapse are everywhere in this world. The Herrscher of the End has long awakened and must have noticed our plan. So, if the actions we take are really effective, then she will definitely take action before the expansion amplifier of the Eye of the Abyss is completed! This is

The defensive battle I mentioned earlier."

Having said that, the girl suddenly changed the subject and looked at Tesla with a hint of shrewdness in her eyes.

“But having said that, it is completely unpredictable what means the Honkai will use to launch a targeted and proactive attack! Maybe... the Honkai furnace under Saint Freya will suddenly explode in the next second! And then directly corrode Dr. Tesla into the fifth Herrscher or something... Such a thing is completely possible~!”

“Hey! Don’t say such unlucky words! And… don’t underestimate the willpower of this genius! If I am really eroded by the Honkai energy, it would be a good thing. As long as I can successfully overcome the erosion of Honkai on my will, doesn’t it mean that I can fight alongside you?”

"Ah~ I really envy your optimistic thinking..."

"Who is so optimistic! If even a little girl like Wendy can handle it, I can definitely do it if I were in her shoes!"

"Okay, okay, Fulei is the best..."

"What? You are treating me like a kid. Don't forget who is the elder here. You are just a little girl who just turned six years old!"

"..."

Once the topic was diverted, it never got back on track, but this was exactly what Shiris expected.

Before the end comes, cherishing the present days is the most meaningful decision now.

(Protect yourself... As long as you can do this, it will be enough for you. As for the rest, leave it to me...)

560 The Other Side of Light

Human civilization, which has entered the era of modern science and technology, has basically answered all the questions left by our ancestors and is constantly progressing to a more advanced level.

Why do day and night alternate? Is there a boundary between the earth and the sky? Why do rivers flow naturally? Simple questions like these would have been "philosophical" questions that would have stumped scholars in the early Middle Ages. But now, they can all be perfectly and accurately explained using scientific principles. Most people have access to basic knowledge about matter and the universe, and the wonderful laws of cosmic matter have been integrated into various easy-to-understand formulas and theorems, as if everything on this planet is no longer a secret.

——Ordinary humans who are easily complacent always subconsciously have this kind of thought. And just as they think, this peaceful and even boring world will never have anything beyond their normal cognition.

After all, the truth about the dark side of the world is only in the hands of a few people, and it has been like this for thousands of years.

An ordinary office worker would never understand what "collapse" is, but if "collapse" is replaced by disasters that conform to public science, such as infectious diseases, earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, people will easily understand it.

Hiding the origin of the Honkai disaster and only informing the public of some of its derivative manifestations is what those who hold the truth have always done, and it is also the unspoken rule among all informed organizations.

Matters on the surface of the world are handled by the leaders of each country, and matters related to the collapse are handled by informed organizations headed by the Destiny Organization. Although the two sides have a cooperative relationship to a certain extent, they do not interfere with each other too much, and maintain a delicate balance.

If nothing unexpected happens, this balance will continue until the moment before the end of this civilization. However, an event that occurred in Singapore in 2014 broke this balance that had lasted for thousands of years ahead of schedule!

The true form of the Eleventh Herrscher, the Herrscher of Constraint, appeared in the center of the city during a certain incident, claiming to be the "God's Messenger" and releasing a power of collapse that was beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. In particular, the countless light guns that tore through the dark night sky were witnessed by countless people.

Although the city did not become a victim of the Herrscher's arrival, the impact caused by the Herrscher's first exposure to the outside world was undoubtedly enough to change the world's pattern!

As the news of the "God's Messenger" spread like wildfire on major social media, some hidden secrets gradually spread. Regarding the blockade of the news of Honkai, no matter how rigorous the confidentiality work is, it is still impossible to ensure that nothing is leaked.

Although the local government helped block the relevant news, it was unable to stop the flow of public opinion. Gradually, some remote areas without Honkai began to spread some information about Honkai and the Valkyrie...

After learning about the existence of Honkai energy, many scientists began to get excited. They were willing to risk their lives to study this magical energy that was said to cause disasters, and they fantasized about applying for the Nobel Prize for Honkai energy research one day. People who were tired of the world and degenerate completely gave up their jobs and careers, and began to promote negative ideas such as "the end of the world is coming." Immature teenagers were full of imagination. They didn't care what Honkai was, but the Honkai monsters that destroyed civilization and the Valkyries who fought to protect humanity, this development that seemed like a hot-blooded comic plot was irresistible to most adolescent children...

When people learned that there were still unknown secrets in the world, different people showed different reactions and attitudes. Some thought it was none of their business, while others wanted to learn more.

The impact of intelligence leaks is naturally far more than this.

In the eyes of different people, the meaning of Honkai is different. In the eyes of ordinary citizens and scientists, the Honkai they understand is just a new type of energy that is dangerous but can be used by humans. However, in more remote places, extremist organizations, terrorists and cults, when faced with Honkai, do not have the same simple ideas as ordinary people...

In the southern part of North America, on an unknown island not far from the mainland, with the sudden arrival of a group of uninvited guests a few months ago, a large-scale building began to be built on the island, which seemed to be the beginning of the development of a new settlement.

However, although it can be called a building, it is actually just a wooden house built by cutting down forests on the island and using wood and stones. Moreover, although it is large in size, the fragile wooden material and flat hexagonal pyramid structure seem to have no consideration for stability and practicality, and it was built just for beauty...

The pyramid-shaped main building in the center is surrounded by wooden houses arranged according to a certain ritual pattern; the twisted and strange murals carved on the walls; the ashes left by the burnt-out fire; and the strange totems inserted at the border of the settlement. If someone could see these, he would definitely be able to guess some of the essence of this settlement...

To put it bluntly, human faith is a kind of spiritual sustenance, taking a non-existent will as one's spiritual support to keep one's spiritual strength strong. So, if a person suddenly discovers that the god he believes in really has the so-called "divine power", what will happen?

·————————————·

midnight.

Inside the pyramid-shaped wooden house, which was over ten meters high, was a circular altar in the center. Torches were hung at the six corners near the top. Further down, there were dozens of figures in purple robes, kneeling and bowing in front of the altar in the middle.

"God... Please accept this offering for the Sunday... In the following ceremony, may you bestow your grace upon us..."

"God, we are all your blood..."

"..."

The offering placed in front of the altar was a bucket of dark red viscous liquid. The pungent smell of rust and stench lingered around the altar, but the pious and intoxicated eyes of these people seemed to be looking at some kind of delicacy and wine in front of them...

There were both men and women among these people who looked like believers of a certain religion. They were all dressed in loose and simple purple robes without exception. Moreover, their skin was unnaturally pale.

This skin color is obviously abnormal in a tropical region, but compared with other things here, this unnaturalness is insignificant.

The man who seemed to be the leader stood up, holding a small glass bottle in his hands, and carefully dripped the purple solution in the bottle into the bucket, blending it with the scarlet...

"Woo..."

A small whimper was heard from behind the believers. It was obvious that there were more than just these believers in this space of more than 20 meters. There was a small iron cage fixed against the wall at the back. Five or six ragged girls were squeezed into the narrow cage. The crying sound just now was made by one of the young girls who couldn't help it.

560 The other side of light >>

"Shh—be quiet!"

A young girl nearby quickly covered the little girl's mouth and cautiously looked at the believers. Seeing that the kneeling figures had no reaction, she breathed a sigh of relief and gently let go of her hands.

"If you make a sound, they'll notice you first..."

"Ugh...but..."

Hearing this, the little girl resisted the urge to cry, wiped her eyes with her dirty little hands, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.

The other girls beside her all looked ashen, with only despair in their dull eyes. Although she didn't know why this young lady could still remain calm, in this situation, even if she held back her tears, what would it change?

"It's okay, we will be fine, believe me..."

Facing the little girl's terrified and helpless eyes, the girl who was trying to comfort her was speechless for a moment. She could only shake her head blankly, saying meaningless words of comfort while hugging the little girl beside her with her rag-wrapped hands...

The girls brought here were not invited to watch the sacrifice, nor were they new believers forced to join the group. At this bloody and horrific ceremony, the moment they were caught by these lunatics who gathered for some kind of "belief", their fate was sealed.

In this country where drugs and crime are rampant, any gathering of like-minded people to form some kind of small group is not worth mentioning. However, the spread of information related to "Honkai Impact" has given rise to something even more terrifying.

Cults, no matter where they are, are illegal organizations that use deceptive criminal methods to harm society and the people.

Under normal circumstances, the organization will only spread rumors to confuse and control the public, and it does not have strong hard power. Once exposed, the compulsory intervention of the state's violent organs is enough to destroy them.

However, here, things are not so simple.

The remote area and the isolated island, what happened here will not be easily known to the outside world...

The essence of a cult leader is either a liar whose ultimate goal is to make money, or a complete lunatic. The leader of this organization, a middle-aged man who looks as thin and pale as a skull, is obviously the latter.

——Gurgle gurgle!

The blood barrel placed in front of the altar suddenly began to churn! The sticky, semi-paste-like blood plasma quickly overflowed the edge of the barrel and turned into a semi-solidified state, like a bloody slug on the verge of melting. After exceeding the carrying capacity of the barrel, it expanded like a disgusting tumor, and pulsated slightly as if it had life...

"Ahh... This is...! The Lord God has responded to me! The incarnation of God is coming... Thank God, our ceremony is finally about to begin! You idiots! What are you all standing there for? Why don't you prepare for the sacrifice quickly?!"

The man who seemed to be the leader shouted excitedly, and the silent space immediately boiled! Looking at the scarlet aggregate, his eyes were as sweet as looking at his first love. There was no doubt that he loved his god, but deeper in those eyes, there was a piety and loyalty that could not be shaken by any emotion...

The sticky liquid in the bucket was not just pure blood, but also mixed with pulverized flesh, bones, brain marrow and other substances. These things were still living girls not long ago, so the shattered tissue cells still remained active. When these active cells merged with the collapsed matter, it was self-evident what would happen.

“Hiss…”

Soft tentacles extended from the surface of the semi-solidified tumor and slowly stretched out towards the man in front of it. However, before it touched the man, it seemed to sense something and stopped moving, and the extended tentacles turned to the other side.

The corrosive power of Honkai energy is enough to erode and control even lifeless metal sand and gravel, let alone living flesh and blood cells?

This mass of mixed cellular impurities, under the guidance of Honkai energy, integrated together and became a living "living thing" again. And according to the instinct of Honkai creatures, it searched for the breath of other living things around it...

As for the man closest to him? That was not the goal. Cannibalism was not part of the code of conduct for Honkai creatures. Even if it did help with evolution, ordinary Honkai creatures would not do that.

"Okay, it's time for you to go on stage, ladies..."

——Clang!

The lock of the iron cage was roughly twisted open. Looking at the fanatical believers, the five captured girls subconsciously moved away from the cage door and huddled together. Now, seeing the indescribable mixture in the center of the altar, even if they couldn't understand the believers' language, they already understood what was waiting for them next...

"What does that expression mean? It is your honor to be part of the incarnation of God! Come out now!"

The believers roared and tried to drive the girls out of the cage. However, in extreme fear, they would rather die under the believers' punches and kicks than become food for the terrifying creature...

"What are you doing? The Lord God has just descended, and he is very thirsty! If you continue like this, the ceremony will be delayed. Can you afford it?! Why don't you pull up those living sacrifices!"

As the leader roared angrily, the bottom of the semi-solid tumor began to extend bone-structured limbs, lifting its body up, and like a spider, it staggered towards the iron cage that imprisoned the girls...

Within its perception range, there is a living being with no similar reaction right in front of it!

"Hahaha... That's enough! Everyone, retreat. The incarnation of God will personally collect the sacrifices. Keep praying. I hope that in this ceremony, our God can regain his true form..."

Hearing this, the believers stepped aside and knelt on both sides of the passage, watching the mass of flesh and blood gradually approach the girls' cage.

It seemed meaningless to let the forcibly created Honkai creatures prey on humans. However, for the cult formed by this madman, the cruel process of this "ritual" that was repeated countless times was its greatest significance.

Although this unstable Honkai creature is strange and terrifying, it does not seem to be very powerful. However, even so, the believers do not think that these weak girls who are in despair can resist what is coming next...

Next to the youngest girl, the girl who had remained calm all the time suddenly loosened her arms that were holding the girl tightly and slowly opened her eyes. There was no trace of fear in her orange-gold pupils.

(It's time...)

561 Punishment

On an island far away from the city,

The flawless night sky without air pollution and light pollution, the bright moonlight sprinkled all over the earth, and the stars in the sky outlined the trajectory of the Milky Way. This was originally more beautiful and quiet than the night on the mainland...

However, tranquility is impossible. Under such a gorgeous starry sky, at the edge of the island, the tireless pale creatures wandering in the forests and hillsides will not leave tranquility to the living who step into this place.

The rotten blood-red giant claws rolled over the wild flowers blooming in the forest, dragging heavy and confused steps, strolling on the mountains of the isolated island.

Such monsters were not uncommon on this island. Although the main body had been replaced by enlarged forelimbs and upper body, behind the reptilian body were a pair of slender human legs and feet. Obviously, there was no need to explain what it had been.

Wherever the monster went, the filthy purple pus dripping from its body seeped into the ground, spreading the mutated Honkai energy to further places...

Even if they do not confront the power of civilization, the original characteristics of the Honkai creatures can prompt them to continue to evolve.

“Ah… Ahhh…”

The humanoid creature that howled dryly, with a pale and deformed appearance, could no longer tell its former gender. However, the twisted limbs, the faint metal spikes on its head, and the stitches all over its body seemed to show what kind of inhuman torture it had suffered before it became like this...

Pain, despair, grief, hatred... negative emotions such as these are the most effective catalysts for Honkai erosion.

Looking at the monsters falling one by one at her feet, the girl gently wiped off the blood on the blade and continued to move forward...

Someone has to put an end to all this.

·————————————·

The culprits who turned this place into hell are naturally the cultists gathered here.

A group of criminals who were brought together by knowledge of the collapse, led by a religious lunatic, used this isolated island overseas as their gathering place and began their "activities".

For ordinary people who have never been exposed to Honkai, watching the process of things being devoured by Honkai is undoubtedly full of novelty.

Watching ordinary people who came into contact with the Honkai material turn into dead soldiers while wailing was their main ritual activity in the early days. However, as the number of "rituals" increased, they began to be dissatisfied with creating ordinary dead soldiers. Therefore, various cruel new tricks began to be imposed on those innocent victims...

Whether it's pillaging villages or human trafficking, there will never be a shortage of sacrifices for their rituals as long as they are willing.

Of course, these people also came into contact with the Honkai that they worshipped as gods at the beginning. However, when they were eroded by the Honkai energy and became dead soldiers, some of them still retained the ability to think. No one knows why this is the case. Perhaps, when the Honkai will resonates with the host's will, the two will assimilate...

Regardless, they realized that they had also become the embodiment of Honkai, using human reason and thinking to behave like Honkai creatures.

The countless failures of the "ritual" created these deformed Honkai creatures. Abandoned, they continue to wander around the island, becoming the natural guards of the believers. People who accidentally step onto this isolated island become one of them...

The exiled Honkai creatures just roamed around according to their instincts and rarely returned to the settlement in the center of the island. Although there were their target "prey" there, the perception ability of ordinary Honkai creatures was not enough to detect things that far away.

But there are exceptions to everything...

"Ok?"

Seeing a dark figure staggering towards the settlement, the believer who was keeping watch outside the settlement frowned, but soon his expression relaxed as if he had confirmed something.

"What? A defective product from the ritual..."

The slow and rigid movements and the unchanged human-shaped outline made it obvious that he was just a low-level assassin.