Although the dimensional space was only formed by combining the solar systems of two small worlds, Selene was quite satisfied. Step by step, after all.
Whether it was The Walking Dead world or Jackie Chan Adventures World, both were small worlds. Their real cosmic scope was only slightly larger than the solar system, with the rest of the endless starry sky merely a projection of higher-dimensional worlds.
"It's time to return to the Empire..."
...
Empire, Habsburg Province, Schönbrunn Palace, Central Garden.
"Ever since Leiva finished constructing the coordinate node, Miss has been gone for almost three days now... If I calculate correctly, she should be back soon..."
Dressed in a meticulous black butler's uniform and holding a white towel, Sebas diligently wiped down the desk where Selene used to handle documents in the garden, murmuring to himself.
As Selene's chief steward, this task could easily be delegated to servants, but Sebas insisted on doing it himself, taking great pleasure in the chore.
Just as he spoke, a buzzing sound rang out.
A powerful burst of purple-red light filled the palace's garden, and a circular portal appeared. Amid rippling waves of energy, a silver-white metal boot stepped out first.
Hearing the sound, Sebas immediately set aside his work and hurried to greet her.
"Miss, you've returned."
Soon enough, Selene emerged, still dressed in her enhanced Radiant Knight · Moonlight attire. Following her, Leiva and a burly red-haired man, whom Sebas had never seen before, stepped out of the portal, which vanished like a black hole after they exited.
"Miss, congratulations on your further advancement in power." Sebas approached with measured steps, placing a hand over his chest in a respectful gesture.
Though Selene appeared unchanged, Sebas, as her Honkai Beast companion, could clearly sense the increase in her power. Her presence, now more oppressive and vast like a boundless ocean, was palpable to him.
"Thank you, Sebas... This time, the gains were truly abundant. We must now accelerate our plans for the Empire."
Closing her eyes, Selene focused on the shadowy forces she had plundered—the nine Shadowkhan Corps. She extended her hand, splitting off a portion of that power and sending it toward Sebas.
"Miss... what is this?" Sebas asked in confusion, sensing he had gained some new authority.
"The Shadowkhan—Ninja Regiment. I believe they'll serve as your capable assistants. Try summoning your warriors," Selene said with a smile.
"Call forth the darkness within..." As if feeling something stirring, Sebas's eyes flashed red.
In the next moment, from the shadows of the garden's lawn and the corners of the courtyard, jet-black ninja figures slowly emerged.
They had gray-blue skin and red eyes, dressed in black ninja outfits that covered most of their bodies and faces, with deep red collars and waistbands. Around their waists, they carried the weapons they would use in battle.
"The warriors of the Ninja Regiment from the nine Shadowkhan Corps are versatile and can fulfill..."
Before Selene could finish explaining the Shadowkhan Corps, a rough voice suddenly interrupted.
"General! Regarding the inspection of the Northern Wall, the Imperial Guard has... uh..."
"..."
A cold stare from numerous red eyes stopped Gensa in his tracks. The appearance of these blue-skinned, red-eyed figures, clad in night attire during broad daylight and with faces masked, gave off an unmistakable aura of menace.
Instinctively, Gensa drew his heavy sword from his waist and was about to shout, "Assassins—"
Thud!
Selene, chuckling, picked up an apple from the fruit basket beside her and tossed it with controlled force, hitting Gensa before he could finish. "Assassins, Are you stupid!?" she scolded playfully.
"Mmmph!" Gensa, realizing what had happened, sheathed his sword, awkwardly removing the apple wedged in his mouth with his large, fan-like hand. "Uh... sorry, General, just reflex."
"You've arrived just in time. I have a task for you."
Waving the Ninja Warriors away, Selene turned to the silent burly man standing next to Leiva. "Gensa, meet your new comrade. This is Hak Foo."
When discussing Jackie Chan Adventures World and its muscle, Hak Foo, the man who never relied on normal attacks, could not be overlooked.
Apart from the protagonist team and the original Dark Hand trio, Hak Foo was one of the most prominent supporting characters. In Selene's memory, her strongest impression of Hak Foo was his endless stream of quirky phrases.
But in reality, Hak Foo was a martial arts powerhouse. Selene could see traces of numerous martial arts styles, ancient and modern, within him. If it weren't for the protagonist's plot armor, the outcome of their battles might have been quite uncertain.
As for why Hak Foo had come under Selene's command, that was all thanks to Leiva. Originally, Selene hadn't planned for this, but Leiva discovered and recommended Hak Foo to her.
The reason for the recommendation? His fearless and ferocious nature, combative spirit, and exceptional fighting skills made him an ideal battlefield commander with some refinement.
Faced with such a capable subordinate offered on a silver platter, Selene had no reason to refuse.
And, truth be told, Hak Foo—loyal and eager to grow stronger as long as he was given the opportunity to fight, while spouting quirky remarks—was exactly the kind of underling Selene wanted.
As Selene's words fell, the towering, red-haired, spiky-headed muscleman in a blue vest and trousers, wearing brown bracers, belt, and boots, stepped forward.
"My master, what are your orders?" Hak Foo asked respectfully.
"Gensa, Hak Foo is now under your command. Make sure to sharpen his skills in the army."
"Hak Foo, huh? That's an odd name... And he looks like someone from the Imperial Fist Temple. Are you sure he's fit for the Imperial Guard?" Gensa asked skeptically.
Upon hearing this, a vein bulged on Hak Foo's forehead, and he looked at Gensa with barely contained excitement.
"Hak Foo, show him what you've got." With a snap of her fingers, Selene said cheerfully.
With Selene's approval, Hak Foo wasted no time. He jumped into the air, soaring dozens of meters high, twisting and contorting his limbs in various complex movements as he descended toward Gensa, all while shouting incomprehensible phrases: "Behold, Black Tiger Steals Heart!" "Mount Tai's Crushing Strike!"
After gliding several meters mid-air, Hak Foo landed precisely on Gensa's shoulders, hooking his left hand in a playful gesture: "And now, Two Dragons Play with Pearl!"
All of this happened in an instant. Gensa, caught off guard by Hak Foo's odd moves, was momentarily stunned. It was just a high jump with a flying kick for a finishing move, but how did Hak Foo make it sound so complicated?
As a grizzled veteran with a limited vocabulary, Gensa had never encountered anything like this before. "Uh..."
"Hahaha... that's enough, Hak Foo. Come down now." Selene laughed and then turned to Gensa with a mysterious smile. "Gensa, you'll be in charge of training Hak Foo in the army."
Selene had full confidence in Hak Foo's abilities. The Honkai energy would continuously strengthen his body, while his martial skills were already a formidable advantage.
"Understood!"